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The experimental investigation of the decays of proton-rich light nuclei has provided a wealth of spectroscopic information. This includes details of energy levels, spins, isospins, masses, half-lives and other decay properties. In light nuclei, total beta decay energies rapidly increase as one moves away from the valley of beta-stable nuclides towards the proton drip line. This opens up decay modes, such as beta-delayed proton and beta-delayed alpha emission, which are very sensitive probes of nuclear structure. There have been several recent articles that review the decay properties of proton drip-line nuclei. The beta decays of proton-rich light nuclei (with T{sub z} {le} -1/2) are characterized by two general features. The first is a fast superallowed Fermi transition to the isobaric analog state (IAS) in the beta daughter. If the IAS is above the proton separation energy, the beta-decaying precursor nuclide is classified as a strong beta-delayed proton emitter. The A = 4n+1, T{sub z}=-3/2 series of nuclei from {sup 17}Ne to {sup 73}Sr (with the exception of the unobserved member {sup 69}Kr), are all strong {Beta}p emitters. In contrast, the A = 4n, T{sub z}=-1 series of nuclei, from {sup 24}Al to {sup 48}Mn are designated as weak {Beta}p emitters since the IAS in the beta daughters is bound with respect to proton emission.

Recent work in light proton-rich nuclei is reviewed. Evidence for the first T/sub z/ = -5/2 nuclide, /sup 35/Ca, is presented. The mechanisms of two-proton emission following beta-decay is investigated. Future directions in this field are discussed. 23 refs., 5 figs. (WRF)