Measuring isospin mixing in 36Ar using a polarized, neutral atom trap

Magneto-optical traps provide a cold, compact cloud of radioactive atoms and therefore are an ideal source for use in precision nuclear β decay studies. Optical pumping techniques can add a new dimension to such experiments by efficiently polarizing these samples to &gsim;99%. Triumf’s experiment E925 is utilizing these techniques to prepare to measure the isospin mixing between the first two <f>Iπ=2+</f> excited states of 36Ar with the lowest 2+, <f>T=1</f> isobaric analog state. The spin-polarized 36K <f>β+</f> decay observables will be measured using Triumf’s neutral atom trap at Isac, Triumf’s isotope separator and accelerator facility. The main purpose is to test isospin mixing models in the s,d-shell needed for determination of the superallowed Fermi strength in 0+ <f>→</f> 0+ decays. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]