Identification and decay of neutron-rich S 39

The previously unreported decay of $^{39}\mathrm{S}$ has been studied from sources prepared in the $^{40}\mathrm{Ar}(n,2p)^{39}\mathrm{S}$ reaction using intermediate energy neutrons. The $^{39}\mathrm{S}$ half-life was measured to be 11.5 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.5 sec. On the basis of results from $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ singles and coincidence measurements, all six $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays observed in $^{39}\mathrm{S}$ decay were placed in a level scheme for $^{39}\mathrm{Cl}$ consisting of excited states at 397, 1301, 1697, 1785, and 2571 keV. Our levels are compared with results from reaction studies and shell-model calculations and a discussion of the possible nature of the negative-parity states is given.