2-PROTON EMISSION IN THE DECAY OF AR-31

Several beta-delayed two-proton branches were observed in the decay of Ar-31, the most intense ones proceeding through the isobaric analogue state (IAS) in Cl-31. The mechanism of the two-proton emission is stu died via the energy and angular distributions of the two protons, Simu ltaneous emission of the two protons fits the present data well, seque ntial decays might also describe them. Independent of the decay mechan ism, a spin of 5/2 for the IAS is suggested, An improved limit on the direct two-proton emission fi om the ground state of Ar-31 is presente d, (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.