The direct beta-decay branch linking ${}_{}{}^{180}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Hf}_{}^{\mathit{m}}{}_{}{}^{}$ (${\mathit{t}}_{1/2}$=5.5 h) to ${}_{}{}^{180}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Ta}_{}^{\mathit{m}}{}_{}{}^{}$ has been measured to be ${\mathit{f}}_{\mathrm{\beta }}$=(0.29±0.05±0.06)%. The relevance of this decay for the nucleosynthesis of ${}_{}{}^{180}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Ta}_{}^{\mathit{m}}{}_{}{}^{}$ is discussed.

• Received 27 May 1992

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.46.1115