β-Delayed One and Two Neutron Emission Probabilities Southeast of 132 Sn and the Odd-Even Systematics in r-Process Nuclide Abundances
Here, the β-delayed one- and two-neutron emission probabilities (P 1n and P 2n ) of 20 neutron-rich nuclei with N≥82 have been measured at the RIBF facility of the RIKEN Nishina Center. P 1n of 130,131 Ag, 133,134 Cd, 135,136 In, and 138,139 Sn were determined for the first time, and stringent upper limits were placed on P2n for nearly all cases. β-delayed two-neutron emission (β2n) was unambiguously identified in 133 Cd and 135,136 In, and their P 2n were measured. Weak β2n was also detected from 137,138 Sn. Our results highlight the effect of the N=82 and Z=50 shell closures on β-delayed neutron emission probability and provide stringent benchmarks for newly developed macroscopic-microscopic and self-consistent global models with the inclusion of a statistical treatment of neutron and γ emission. The impact of our measurements on r-process nucleosynthesis was studied in a neutron star merger scenario. Our P 1n and P 2n have a direct impact on the odd-even staggering of the final abundance, improving the agreement between calculated and observed Solar System abundances. The odd isotope fraction of Ba in r-process-enhanced (r-II) stars is also better reproduced using our new data.