First observation of /sup 162/Hf decay: completion of an alpha -decay chain

The new isotope /sup 162/Hf (T/sub 1/2/=(37.6+or-0.8)s) is produced in a /sup 142/Nd (/sup 24/Mg,4n) reaction. The activities produced in this reaction are transported to a measuring station by use of a He- jet system. Decay properties are observed with alpha -, gamma -, and gamma - gamma -spectroscopy. The Z-assignment of the new isotope is based on a cross bombardment on /sup 141/Pr target and on the results of a gamma -X-ray coincidence measurement. The mass assignment is deduced from the excitation function measurements. From the measured alpha -decay energy E/sub alpha /=4308 (10) keV new mass values are derived for /sup 162/Hf, /sup 166/W, /sup 170/Os, /sup 174/Pt, and /sup 178/Hg. These new mass values make it possible to establish systematics of two-proton and one-proton binding energies far from stability. (20 refs).