Decay of the high-spin isomer in Re-160: Changing single-particle structure beyond the proton drip line

A new high-spin isomeric state (t(1/2) = 2.8 +/- 0.1 mu s) in Re-160 has been identified. This high-spin isomer is unique in that it only decays by gamma-decay and not by proton or alpha-particle emission as is the case in every other proton emitter between Z = 64 and 80. Shell model calculations indicate how the convergence of the h(9/2) and f(7/2) neutron levels in this region could open up a gamma-decay path from the high-spin isomer to the low-spin ground state of 160Re. providing a natural explanation for this anomalous absence of charged-particle emission. The consequences of these observations for future searches for proton emission from even more exotic nuclei and in-beam spectroscopic studies are considered.