Eur. Phys. J. A (2012) 48: 179
https://doi.org/10.1140/epja/i2012-12179-1

Regular Article - Experimental Physics

Direct and β-delayed multi-proton emission from atomic nuclei with a time projection chamber: the cases of ⁴³Cr, ⁴⁵Fe, and ⁵¹Ni

¹ Centre d’Etudes Nucléaires de Bordeaux Gradignan, Université Bordeaux 1 - UMR 5797 CNRS/IN2P3, Chemin du Solarium, BP 120, F-33175, Gradignan Cedex, France
² National Institute for Physics and Nuclear Engineering, P.O. Box MG6, Bucharest-Margurele, Romania
³ Department of Physics and Astronomy and National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory, Michigan State University, 48824-1321, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
⁴ Grand Accélérateur National d’Ions Lourds, CEA/DSM-CNRS/IN2P3, BP 55027, F-14076, Caen Cedex 5, France
⁵ Institut de Physique Nucléaire, 15 rue Georges Clémenceau, F-91406, Orsay, France

^* e-mail: blank@cenbg.in2p3.fr

Received: 18 June 2012
Revised: 14 October 2012
Accepted: 29 October 2012
Published online: 5 December 2012

Abstract

The two-proton radioactivity of ⁴⁵Fe was studied experimentally with a time projection chamber. The aim of the experiment was the reconstruction of the proton tracks in three dimensions. Energy and angular correlations have been determined and the data are compared with theoretical models, in particular with a three-body model. Moreover, the decay of ⁴³Cr was studied and β-delayed one-, two- and three-proton emission could be established. The correlations observed for β-delayed two-proton emission favour a sequential emission. Finally, β-delayed two-proton emission was observed for the first time for ⁵¹Ni.