The Decay of Krypton-90 and Energy Levels in Rubidium-90

Abstract

This work describes a study of the gamma rays and beta particles emitted during the decay of the 33-second fission product Krypton-90. Procedures for the analysis of gamma, gamma-gamma coincidence, beta and beta-gamma coincidence experiments are discussed. The application of these analyses to the short-lived Krypton-90 activity yields the prominent features of this decay. The total energy release of this decay was found to be 4.56 ± 0.02MeV, in agreement with beta systematics. A level scheme for the daughter, Rubidium-90, is proposed.