Abstract
β-EMISSION by hafnium-181 leads to a 20-microsecond metastable state of tantalum-1811. This has been studied by observing delayed coincidences between the β-rays from hafnium-181 and the radiation emitted in the decay of the metastable state. The delayed radiation consists of cascade β-rays of 0·13 and 0·47 MeV. and the corresponding conversion electrons2,3,4. Beneš et al.4 have reported that sources of hafnium-181 give rise also to delayed γ—γ coincidences and have proposed a decay scheme showing a 0·34-MeV. γ -transition preceding the metastable state of tantalum-181. The other workers1,2,3 have not reported delayed γ—γ coincidences, and this implies a decay scheme in which β-emission by hafnium-181 leads directly to the metastable state. We have carried out recently a re-examination of hafnium-181 for delayed γ—γ coincidences with a negative result.
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WALKER, D., FULLER, E. Absence of Delayed γ—γ Coincidences in the Decay of Hafnium-181. Nature 164, 226 (1949). https://doi.org/10.1038/164226a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/164226a0
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