An improved method of lifetime measurement of nuclei in radioactive decay chain

Abstract

We present an improved statistical method for the calculation of mean lifetime of nuclei in a decay chain with an uncertain relation between mother and daughter nuclei. The method is based on the formation of time distribution of intervals between mother and daughter nuclei, without trying to set the exact mother-daughter nuclei relationship. If there is a coincidence of mother and daughter nuclei decays, the sum of these distributions has flat term on which an exponential term is superimposed. Parameters of this exponential function allow lifetime of daughter nucleus to be extracted. The method is tested on Monte Carlo simulation data.