From peaks to continua: the study of delayed proton decay among light nuclei (A < 100)

Delayed proton precursors among nuclei with A<or approximately=100 are discussed in terms that describe their average properties. The 'gross theory' of beta-decay is seen to apply reasonably well both to the heavier precursors in the T/sub z/=+1/2 series and, perhaps unexpectedly, to some of the lightest in the T/sub z/=-3/2 series. New experimental results are also given for the T/sub z/=+1/2 series which yield average partial widths and level densities. A new method for measuring the lifetimes of proton emitting levels in the 10/sup -16/ s region is described and applied to the decay of /sup 69/Se. (19 refs).