Sizeable beta-strength in ^31 Ar (β3p) decay

Abstract

We present for the first time precise spectroscopic information on the recently discovered decay mode β-delayed 3p-emission. The detection of the 3p events gives an increased sensitivity to the high energy part of the Gamow–Teller strength distribution from the decay of ^31 Ar revealing that as much as 30% of the strength resides in the β3p-decaymode. Asimplified description of how the main decay modes evolve as the excitation energy increases in ^31 Cl is provided.