Coulomb energy differences between mirror nuclei with $A<~70$ are calculated within the framework of the nuclear shell model using an effective Coulomb plus isovector and isotensor interaction. Absolute binding energies for proton-rich nuclei are predicted by adding the calculated Coulomb shifts to experimentally measured binding energies for the neutron-rich mirror. The location of the proton drip line is investigated, as well as candidates for the exotic decay mode known as diproton emission. Taking into account the lifetimes of competing decay modes and limits imposed by experimental setups, it is concluded that the best candidates for the observation of correlated diproton emission are${}^{45}\mathrm{Fe},$ ${}^{48}\mathrm{Ni},$ and ${}^{63}\mathrm{Se}.$

• Received 23 December 1996

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.55.2407