Decay Modes Of Ar-31 And 1st Observation Of Beta-Delayed 3-Proton Radioactivity

The different beta-delayed particle-decay modes of 31Ar are investigated by means of a new silicon-detector telescope. Identification of beta-delayed two-proton decay, and beta-delayed three-proton decay observed for the first time, is made possible by Monte Carlo simulations of the detector response. Other beta-delayed single-proton branches are also investigated, and none of the energetically allowed beta-alpha and beta-p-alpha-decay modes are found. Finally, the results of this experiment are compared to shell-model calculations.