β-delayed proton decays and spin assignments for 140 Tb, 141 Dy and 143 Dy

. The proton-rich isotopes 140 Tb and 141 Dy were produced via the fusion evaporation reaction 40 Ca + 106 Cd. Their β-delayed proton decays were studied by p-γ coincidence in combination with a He-jet tape transport system, and half-lives, proton energy spectra, γ-transitions following the proton emission, as well as β-delayed proton branching ratios to the low-lying states in the grand-daughter nuclei were determined. Comparing the experimental data with statistical model calculations, the ground-state spins of 140 Tb and 141 Dy were found to be consistent with 7 and 9/2, respectively. The configuration-constrained nuclear potential energy surfaces (NPES) of 140 Tb and 141 Dy were calculated using the Woods-Saxon-Strutinsky method, which suggest the ground-state spins and parities of 140 Tb and 141 Dy to be 7 + and 9/2 - , respectively. In addition, the configuration-constrained NPES of 143 Dy were calculated, which predict a 1/2 + ground state and a 11/2 - isomer with excitation energy of 198keV. These findings are consistent with our previous experimental data on 143 Dy reported in Eur. Phys. J. A 16 , 347 (2003).