Beta decay to the first 2+ excited state of 42Ca

The directional correlation between the non-unique first forbidden 2 MeV beta and the 1.52 MeV gamma ray in the decay of 42K has been measured as a function of beta particle energy in the range 350-1850 keV employing a fast-slow scintillation assembly. Nuclear matrix elements governing the 2 MeV beta transition in 42K are extracted using the accurate formalism of Buhring as modified by Simms (1965).