An automated procedure for the analysis of time-resolved Schottky spectra

The unique combination of facilities and instrumentation available at the GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung in Darmstadt, Germany allows us to investigate the decay modes of highly charged ions by Schottky Mass Spectrometry. In single-ion decay spectrometry the fate of single ions cruising in the cooler-storage ring ESR can be followed and their exact decay time is determined. For a fast and repeated analysis of such data sets a highly automated procedure has been developed. The method is demonstrated with a measurement of the He-like 142Pm59+ which decays by electron-capture and β+ decay to 142Nd. For the total decay constant we find a value of λ=0.0164±0.0010 s−1 in the rest frame of the ions and the branching ratio λβ+/λEC=3.68±0.014.