Abstract
The half-life of has been calculated by determining an absolute gamma-disintegration rate for in equilibrium with for three old thorium nitrate salts and one natural thorite sample. The branching ratio, , for , a necessary parameter in the calculation, was also measured. The half-life of was found to be 1.42× years within an estimated error of 5%, which is essentially in agreement with the presently accepted value. The branching ratio, , of was found to be 0.362±0.006, about 7.4% higher than the currently accepted value.
- Received 9 July 1956
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRev.104.1629
©1956 American Physical Society