Lifetime of the First Excited State ofN14

Abstract

The mean life of the first excited state of ${\mathrm{N}}^{14}$ has been measured by nuclear resonant scattering. The ${\mathrm{N}}^{14}(p, p^{\prime })$ reaction with an ${\mathrm{N}}^{14}$ enriched gaseous ammonia target was used as the source of Doppler-broadened $\gamma$ radiation. The value of (7.3±1.8)×${10}^{-14\mathrm{}}$ sec obtained is a factor of two longer than theoretical predictions based on the wave functions used to explain the anomalously slow ${\mathrm{C}}^{14}$ $\beta$ decay.