Penning trap mass measurements of Cd99-109 with the ISOLTRAP mass spectrometer, and implications for the rp process

Abstract

Penning trap mass measurements of neutron-deficient Cd isotopes Cd99-109 have been performed with the ISOLTRAP mass spectrometer at ISOLDE/CERN, all with relative mass uncertainties below 3•10-8. A new mass evaluation has been performed. The mass of Cd99 has been determined for the first time, which extends the region of accurately known mass values toward the doubly magic nucleus Sn100. The implication of the results on the reaction path of the rp process in stellar x-ray bursts is discussed. In particular, the uncertainty of the abundance and the overproduction created by the rp-process for the mass A=99 are demonstrated by reducing the uncertainty of the proton-separation energy of In100Sp(In100) by a factor of 2.5. © 2009 The American Physical Society.