Investigation of the beta strength function at high energy: gamma-ray spectroscopy of the decay of 5.3-s 84As to 84Se

Investigates the beta strength function up to approximately 8.6 MeV for the system /sup 84/As( beta /sup -/)/sup 84/Se. The authors find that it is not possible to satisfactorily describe S/sub beta / by a statistical model. From the /sup 84/As decay scheme they deduced an experimental beta strength function. Additional information on the beta transition intensity is obtained form the gross coincidence spectra of individual gamma rays. In total these data suggest that the experimental beta strength function above 6.8 MeV is significantly lower than that calculated using a statistical model. Features in the gross coincidence spectra also suggest that a significant bump appears in the experimental beta strength function at approximately 6.5 MeV. (0 refs).