First measurement of β-decay properties of the proton drip-line nucleus 60Ga

By using the fusion-evaporation reaction 28Si(36Ar,p3n) and spectroscopy of β-delayed γ-rays and charged particles on mass-separated sources, β-decay properties of the neutron-deficient isotope 60Ga were studied for the first time. The half-life of 60Ga was determined to be 70(15) ms, and, based on βγγ coincidences, the isobaric-analogue state in 60Zn was identified at 4851.9(7) keV. A semiempirical proton separation energy value of 40(70) keV was deduced for 60Ga. The experimental results on half-life, mass excess, proton separation energy, and structure of the 60Zn daughter states are discussed in comparison with various model predictions, including large-scale shell model calculations.