β-decay half-lives of very neutron-rich Kr to Tc isotopes on the boundary of the r-process path: an indication of fast r-matter flow.

The {beta}-decay half-lives of 38 neutron-rich isotopes from {sub 36}Kr to {sub 43}Tc have been measured; the half-lives of {sup 100}Kr, {sup 103-105}Sr, {sup 106-108}Y, {sup 108-110}Zr, {sup 111,112}Nb, {sup 112-115}Mo, and {sup 116,117}Tc are reported here. The results when compared with previous standard models indicate an overestimation in the predicted half-lives by a factor of 2 or more in the A{approx_equal}110 region. A revised model based on the second generation gross theory of {beta} decay better predicts the measured half-lives and suggests a more rapid flow of the rapid neutron-capture process (r-matter flow) through this region than previously predicted.