Precise measurement of energy of the first excited state of 115Sn (Eexc = 497.3 keV)

Abstract

Single beta decay of 115In to the first excited level of 115Sn (Eexc = 497.3 keV) is known as beta decay with the lowest Q value. To determine the Q precisely, one has to measure very accurately the Eexc value. A sample of tin enriched in 115Sn to 50.7% was irradiated by proton beam at the U-120 accelerator of INR, Kyiv. The 115Sb radioactive isotope, created in 115Sn(p,n)115Sb reaction, decays with T1/2 = 32 min to 115Sn populating the 497 keV level with ~ 96% probability. The total statistics of ~ 10^5 counts collected in the 497 keV peak in series of measurements, exact description of the peak shape and precisely known calibration points around the 497 keV peak allowed to obtain the value Eexc = 497.342(3) keV, which is the most precise to-date. This leads to the following Q* value for the decay 115In to 115Sn*: Q* = 147 +- 10 eV.