Properties of the β-delayed proton decay of ~(146)Ho

The proton-rich isotope 146Ho was produced via the fusion-evaporation reaction 92Mo (58Ni, 3p1n). The β-delayed proton decay of 146Ho was studied by proton-y coincidence measurements using a He-jet tape transport system. The γ-transitions in 145Tb following the proton emissions were observed, and the β-delayed proton branching ratios to the final states in the grand-daughter nucleus 145Tb were determined. According to the relative branching ratios, the ground-state spin of 146Ho has been proposed and the possible configuration discussed.