A multiparticle spin-trap isomer has been discovered in the proton-unbound nucleus ${}_{73}{}^{158}{\mathrm{Ta}}_{85}$. The isomer mainly decays by $\gamma$-ray emission with a half-life of $6.1(1)\mu \mathrm{s}$. Analysis of the $\gamma$-ray data shows that the isomer lies 2668 keV above the known $9^{+}$ state and has a spin $10\hslash$ higher and negative parity. This ${19}^{-}$ isomer also has an 8644(11) keV, 1.4(2)% $\alpha$-decay branch that populates the $9^{+}$ state in ${}^{154}\mathrm{Lu}$. No proton-decay branch from the isomer was identified, despite the isomer being unbound to proton emission by 3261(14) keV. This remarkable stability against proton emission is compared with theoretical predictions, and the implications for the extent of observable nuclides are considered.

• Received 28 June 2013

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.112.092501