title: Half-life measurement for the rp-process waiting point nuclide 80Zr
abstract: X-ray bursts have been suggested as a possible site for the astrophysical rp-process. The time scale for the process is governed by beta-decay half-lives of several even-even N = Z waiting point nuclei, in particular, N = Z = 40 80Zr. A 4.1(+0.8/-0.6)-s beta(+)/EC half-life for 80Zr was determined by observing delayed 84-keV gamma rays depopulating a T(1/2) = 4-&mgr;s isomer at 312 keV in the daughter 80Y. As this half-life is lower than many previously predicted values, the calculated excessive production of A = 80 nuclides in astrophysical x-ray burst scenarios is reduced, and less extreme conditions are necessary for the production of heavier nuclides.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA.
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Ressler
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piechaczek
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Walters
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aprahamian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wiescher
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Batchelder
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Bingham
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Brenner
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Ginter
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Gross
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Grzywacz
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kulp
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: MacDonald
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Reviol
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rikovska
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rykaczewski
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Winger
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Zganjar