β-Decay Half-Lives of Very Neutron-Rich Kr to Tc Isotopes on the Boundary of ther-Process Path: An Indication of Fastr-Matter Flow

The β-decay half-lives of 38 neutron-rich isotopes from 36Kr to 43Tc have been measured; the half-lives of 100Kr, 103–105Sr, 106–108Y, 108–110Zr, 111,112Nb, 112–115Mo, and 116,117Tc are reported here. The results when compared with previous standard models indicate an overestimation in the predicted half-lives by a factor of 2 or more in the A≈110 region. A revised model based on the second generation gross theory of β decay better predicts the measured half-lives and suggests a more rapid flow of the rapid neutron-capture process (r-matter flow) through this region than previously predicted