The weak neutral current: search for a 0− isomer in 42Sc and 46V

Abstract

Isgur has shown that some properties of the weak neutral current can be studied by investigating a nuclear Jπ = 0− ↔ 0+ transition. We have used the (p,n) reaction on targets of 42Ca and 46Ti to populate states in the self-conjugate nuclei 42Sc and 46V in a search for a Jπ = 0− isomer. The possible production of the isomer was probed by searching for long-lived β+-and γ-ray activities. For each nucleus our results indicate that the yield of a 0− isomeric state is < 10−3 of that for the ground state.