Experimental validation of the largest calculated isospin-symmetry-breaking effect in a superallowed Fermi decay

Phys Rev Lett. 2011 Oct 28;107(18):182301. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.182301. Epub 2011 Oct 27.

Abstract

A precision measurement of the γ yields following the β decay of (32)Cl has determined its isobaric-analogue branch to be (22.47(-0.18)(+0.21))%. Since it is an almost pure-Fermi decay, we can also determine the amount of isospin-symmetry breaking in this superallowed transition. We find a very large value, δ(C) = 5.3(9)%, in agreement with a shell-model calculation. This result sets a benchmark for isospin-symmetry-breaking calculations and lends support for similarly calculated, yet smaller, corrections that are currently applied to 0+ → 0 + transitions for tests of the standard model.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Chlorine / chemistry*
  • Isotopes
  • Models, Chemical
  • Radioactivity*
  • Reproducibility of Results

Substances

  • Isotopes
  • Chlorine