Scandium 51

Abstract

Previously unreported decay characteristics of 51Sc are studied. The activity was obtained from a series of bombardments of an enriched 48Ca target (in the carbonate form) with 18 MeV α particles, β ray measurement of the investigated sample indicated a component of ~ 5 MeV endpoint energy which decays with a half life of 12 sec. γ ray measurements gave new lines at 1.44 MeV and 2.16 MeV, both decaying with a half life of ~ 12 sec. The γ-ray energies coincide with some of the energies of the states observed in 51Ti from the 50Ti (d, p) reaction and the β endpoint energy is in agreement with the known Q value of the 48Ca (α, p) 51Sc reaction. All decay characteristics are quite consistent with theoretical predictions.