SEARCH FOR ANOMALOUS CARBON-ATOMS - EVIDENCE OF VIOLATION OF THE PAULI PRINCIPLE DURING THE PERIOD OF NUCLEOSYNTHESIS

A search for anomalous carbon atoms (12)(C) over tilde - atoms with th ree K-shell electrons - is made by gamma-activation analysis of boron with the impurity carbon removed radiochemically. A limit on the exist ence of such atoms was determined: 12 (C) over tilde/C-12 <2.5x10(-12) . This corresponds to a limit on the lifetime with respect to violatio n of the Pauli principle by electrons in a carbon atom of tau greater than or equal to 2x10(21) yr. (C) 1998 American Institute of Physics.