The β-delayed α spectrum of ${}_{}{}^{17}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{N}$ has been measured using a molecular ${}_{}{}^{17}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{NO}_{}^{+}{}_{}{}^{}$ beam from the TRIUMF isotope separator. Thin surface barrier detector pairs were used to count the α particles in coincidence with ${}_{}{}^{13}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{C}$ recoil nuclei. The resulting spectrum has been fitted with a K-matrix parametrization. The β-delayed α decay of states at 7.99 and 8.20 MeV in the ${}_{}{}^{17}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{O}$ daughter has been observed. A total βα-branching ratio of (2.5±0.4)×${10}^{\mathrm{-}5}$ has been determined for this decay mode of ${}_{}{}^{17}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{N}$.

• Received 24 September 1993

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.49.1867