Eur. Phys. J. A (2013) 49: 45
https://doi.org/10.1140/epja/i2013-13045-4

Regular Article - Experimental Physics

Particle instability of ⁵³Cu

Centre d’Etudes Nucléaires de Bordeaux Gradignan - UMR 5797 CNRS/IN2P3, Université Bordeaux 1, Chemin du Solarium, BP 120, 33175, Gradignan Cedex, France

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

Received: 6 March 2013
Revised: 15 March 2013
Accepted: 20 March 2013
Published online: 16 April 2013

Abstract

The most proton-rich particle-stable or quasi-stable copper isotope identified in projectile fragmentation reactions is ⁵⁵Cu. ⁵⁴Cu was found unbound a few years ago in such an experiment. The present note reports on a reanalysis of data to determine a life-time limit for ⁵³Cu. A comparison with data for ⁵²Ni and ⁵⁴Zn combined with EPAX calculations allows to determine a life-time limit of this nucleus of 130ns which, in a simple barrier penetration model, yields a one-proton separation energy of −350 keV. This experimental limit is in agreement with a prediction from the latest Atomic Mass Evaluation and with other model predictions.