Search for the 8B(2+) → 8Be(0+) ground-state transition Original Research Article

Neutrinos arising from 8B β decay dominate the solar neutrino spectrum above 5 MeV, and primarily consist of neutrinos from the 8(2+)→ 8Be(2+) transition. Two other processes, 3He+p and 8B(2+) → 8Be(0+) ground state second-forbidden decay, may also contribute to the solar neutrino flux in this energy region. Knowledge of the relative strengths of these three processes is important for accurate solar neutrino spectral shape measurements. We are attempting to measure the branching ratio of the 8B(2+) → 8Be(0+) ground state transition using an 8B radioactive beam.