First beta-delayed neutron emission observed in rare fluorine-25 isotope

A research team from the Rare Isotope Beam Facility (FRIB) is the first to observe delayed beta neutron emission from fluorine-25, a rare and unstable nuclide. Using the FRIB Decay Station Initiator (FDSi), the team discovered contradictions in previous experimental results. The results led to a new avenue of research into how particles in exotic and unstable isotopes remain bound under extreme conditions. Led by Robert Grzywacz, professor of physics at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville (UTK), the team included Jack Peltier, undergraduate student at UTK, Zhengyu Xu, postdoctoral researcher at UTK, Sean Liddick, professor of chemistry at FRIB and interim chair of the MSU Department of Chemistry, and Rebeka Lubna, scientist at FRIB.