High-spin negative parity states in doubly even Hg,Pt and Os nuclei

A systematic study of the level structure of ²⁰⁰Hg, ¹⁹⁸Hg, ¹⁹⁶Hg, ¹⁹⁴Pt, ¹⁹²Pt, ¹⁹⁰Pt, ¹⁸⁸Os, ¹⁸⁶Os and ¹⁸⁴Os has been performed by means of (α, 2nγ) and (p, 2nγ) in-beam γ-ray spectroscopy. Much new information has been obtained about the individual level spectra, and arguments based on level energy and population intensity systematics have been used to trace the behaviour of interesting spectral features through this series of transitional nuclei. Of particular interest is a 5^?, 7^?, 9^? … sequence of levels which appears to be a recurring feature in the spectra of the doubly even Pt and Hg nuclei in the mass range A = 190–200. These negative parity levels are connected by enhanced E2 transitions and they are very strongly populated in the de-excitation of the residual nuclei formed in (α, 2n) reactions. It is proposed that the 5^?, 7^?, 9^? … sequences constitute rotation-aligned bands analogous to the decoupled bands identified by Stephens and co-workers in odd-A transitional nuclei. In the doubly even nuclei, the bands may arise from the coupling of an $\text{i}\text{13}\text{2}$ neutron with a low-j neutron partner (from the $\text{p}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$, $\text{p}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>3</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ and $\text{f}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ orbitals). Negative parity levels in the Os nuclei are populated much less strongly in the (α, 2nγ) reactions. While 5^? levels corresponding to those in the Pt and Hg nuclei appear to be fairly well established in ¹⁸⁶Os, ¹⁸⁸Os (and ¹⁹⁰Os), it is not yet clear whether the 5^?, 7^?, 9^? … band sequence extends into the Os nuclei.     

Intrinsic states,high-spin rotational bands and rotation alignment in 177Os and 179Os

Low-lying intrinsic states and their associated rotational bands have been identified in ¹⁷⁷Os and ¹⁷⁹Os. They are the mixed i_{$\text{13}\text{2}$} neutron states and the $\text{1}\text{2}$^?[521] states in ¹⁷⁷Os and ¹⁷⁹Os, as well as the $\text{5}\text{2}$^?[512] state in ¹⁷⁷Os and the $\text{7}\text{2}$^?[514] state in ¹⁷⁹Os. The $\text{1}\text{2}$^? sta is assumed to be the ground state, the other intrinsic states giving rise to isomers. The in-band decay properties of the $\text{7}\text{2}$^?[514] band, and the i_{$\text{13}\text{2}$} bands show the effect of mixing. In the rotational bands in ¹⁷⁷Os a low frequency backbending anomaly is observed but no anomaly is observed in the i_{$\text{13}\text{2}$}. band. In ¹⁷⁹Os the i_{$\text{13}\text{2}$} band does backbend but at a higher frequency than in the yrast bands of the even neighbours. The systematics of the backbending frequencies, and the effects of blocking, are discussed. The rotation aligned angular momentum is deduced, and a comparison made between the i_{$\text{13}\text{2}$} bands and the s-bands in the even neighbours. The results broadly support the identification of the s-bands with the aligned (i_{$\text{13}\text{2}$})² configuration.     

Investigation of level energies and B(E2) values for rotation-aligned bands in Hg isotopes

High spin states in ^{191, 192, 193, 195, 197, 199}Hg were investigated by observing γ-rays and conversion electrons in the compound reactions ${}^{\mathrm{192,\; 194,\; 198}}\text{Pt(α, x}\text{n}\text{)}\text{and}{}^{192}\text{Pt}\text{(}{}^3\text{He}\text{, 4}\text{n}\text{)}$. In ¹⁹⁷Hg the decoupled band built on the $\text{13}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ state and the semi-decoupled negative-parity band are observed up to $\text{I}{}^{\mathrm{\pi }}\text{=}\text{41}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{and}\text{33}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$, respectively. A careful investigation of ¹⁹⁹Hg revealed no new high spin states above the previously known levels with $\text{I}{}^{\mathrm{\pi }}\text{=}\text{25}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{and}\text{31}\text{2}$^?. Half-lives were determined for the 10⁺, 7^?, 8^? and 16^? states in ¹⁹²Hg, the if$\text{33}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$$\text{states in}{}^{\mathrm{191,193}}\text{Hg and the}$ (frc states in ^{191, 193, 195, 197}Hg. The systematics of the level energies and B(E2) values for the positive-parity ground and $\text{13}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ bands and the negative-parity semi-decoupled bands in ^190–200Hg is discussed.     

Étude par spectroscopie “en ligne” des états d'énergie de 187Au: Interprétation en termes de déformations nucléaires triaxiales

The decay of ¹⁸⁷Hg is studied using “on-line” mass-separated sources. A decay scheme is proposed. The negative parity states are analysed within the “quasi-particle + triaxial rotor” model of Meyer-ter-Vehn: it is found that the $\text{11}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$ state at 224 keV corresponds to a nuclear deformation β = 0.14 and γ = 35 and the $\text{9}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$ state at 120.6 keV to a deformation β = 0.2 and γ = 21°. A systematic analysis of the heavier odd-mass gold isotopes is given in the framework of this model.     

Two- and three-quasiparticle states in the interacting boson model and a unified description of even- and odd- mass Hg isotopes

The formalism of the interacting boson-fermion approximation is extended to include two- and three-quasiparticle states. This model is used in a systematic study of the high-spin states in even- and odd-mass ^189–198Hg isotopes. The positive-parity states in these nuclei are described by coupling $\text{i}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>13</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ neutron states to an O(6) core, which offers a simple and parameter-free test of the boson-fermion interaction. Good agreement is obtained between the recent experimental results and the calculated energies, transition rates and g-factors.     

Negative-parity states in Pb isotopes: g-factor of the 480 ns,if Jπ = 9− isomer in 200Pb

The g-factor of the 480 ns, 9^? isomer at 2.237 MeV in ²⁰⁰Pb was measured by the time-differential perturbed angular distribution method. The result, g = ?0.0285±0.0011 confirms the rather pure $\text{(}\text{f}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}\text{i}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>13</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}\text{)}$ quasiparticle structure of this state. Half-lives of 480±20 ns, 43±3 ns and 42±4 ns have been measured for the 2237 keV 9^?, 2154 keV 7^? states in ²⁰⁰Pb and the 2208 keV state in ²⁰²Pb, respectively; E2 transitions and g-factors of negative-parity states in even, neutron-deficient Pb isotopes are discussed.     

A study of the rotational side-bands in 162Dy

Rotational side-bands in ¹⁶²Dy have been studied using the ¹⁶⁰Gd(α, 2nγ)¹⁶²Dy reaction. Seven side-bands are observed, with K^π = 2⁺, 2^?, (0)^?, 0⁺, 5^?, 4⁺ and (6^?). Four of these bands have collective structure at low spin: the K^π = 2⁺γ-vibrational band, the K^π = 0⁺β-vibrational band, and the K^π = 2^? and (0)^? octupole vibrational bands. Of the remaining bands, the 4⁺ band is deformation coupled while the 5^? and (6^?) bands are rotation-aligned. Several bandcrossings are observed in this nucleus. The β and γ-bands are crossed at $\text{I = 6}\text{h}\text{?}\text{and}\text{12}\text{h}\text{?}$, respectively, by a highly aligned ($\text{i}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>13</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$)² S-band; extrapolation of this S-band to higher spin suggests that it crosses the g.s.b. between $\text{I = 18}\text{h}\text{?}\text{and}\text{20}\text{h}\text{?}$. The 2^? octupole band is crossed by the 5^? band at $\text{I = 9}\text{h}\text{?}$ and again by the (6^?) band at $\text{I = 12}\text{h}\text{?}$. The latter bandcrossings are discussed in terms of two-quasiparticle plus rotor calculations.     

A study of states in 201, 203Tl using the (d, 3nγ) reaction: A new 92− band

The nuclei ^{201, 203} Tl were formed in (d, 3n) reactions. Studies of the de-excitation γ-rays are described and level schemes are deduced for both isotopes. Evidence is presented for the existence in ²⁰¹Tl of a rotational band built on the $\text{9}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$ isomeric state at 920 keV. The band is compared to the $\text{9}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$ bands occurring in the odd isotopes ^{191 ? 199}Tl and is shown to be well described by a symmetric rotor-plus-particle model. The model predictions for the low-lying positive parity states are also considered and satisfactory agreement with experimental data is obtained. No $\text{9}\text{2}$^? band was observed in ²⁰³Tl and possible interpretations of this result are presented.     

Backbending behaviour of rotational bands in 163,165,167Yb

Several rotational bands in ^163,165,167Yb are observed in (HI,xnγe^?) experiments. The $\text{i}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>13</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ and $\text{3}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}\text{[521]}$ bands do not backbend, whereas the $\text{5}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}\text{[523]}$ bands do, indicating additional processes besides the rotational alignment of one $\text{i}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>13</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ neutron pair that are responsible for the backbending.     

Two-quasiparticle bands in126Ba

High spin states of¹²⁶Ba have been populated via the¹¹⁶Sn (¹³C, 3n) reaction and were investigated by inbeam gamma-ray spectroscopy. Partially NaJ (Tl)-BGO anti-compton shields were used. Two positive parity band crossings were established. The yrast band was observed up to a tentative 18⁺ level. The gamma-bands and two band structures of negative parity were found. In addition a tentative 3^? state has been seen. Two-quasiparticle Routhians are constructed from the one-quasiparticle Routhians of the bands in the odd neighbouring isotopes and isotones and are compared to the ones observed in¹²⁶Ba. This leads to ah _11/2 g _7/2-neutron structure of the strongly coupled negative parity bands and a two-quasiproton structure of the decoupled bands of negative parity. The branching and mixing ratios for the neutron bands are analyzed.     

Coexistence des formes allongée et aplatie dans 189Au

Two decoupled bands are found in ¹⁸⁹Au with the ¹⁸¹Ta(¹²C, 4n) ¹⁸⁹Au reaction. The first one, built on a $\text{h}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>11</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ state, implies an oblate deformation of the nucleus, while the second one, built on a $\text{h}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>9</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ state, corresponds to a prolate deformation. Positive parity, three-quasi-particle isomeric states are also observed and compared to the doubly even core.     

Evidence for triaxial shapes in Pt nuclei

Positive parity levels in ¹⁹¹Pt obtained from (α, xnγ) reactions and β-decay are presented as a first example of a rather complete $\text{i}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>13</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ level family. The spectrum confirms triaxial shapes found before from $\text{h}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>11</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ and $\text{h}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>9</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ proton structures in this mass region. In addition to the usual decoupled yrast band, a second ΔI = 2 band within the $\text{i}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>13</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ family, built on a low-lying $\text{j?1 =}\text{11}\text{2}$ state, is observed in agreement with theory.     

The 153Sm nucleus: An experimental and theoretical study

The level structure of ¹⁵³Sm has been studied by means of the ¹⁵⁰Nd(α, n)¹⁵³Sm reaction. The experiment included measurements of the γ-γ coincidences and γ-ray yield as a function of projectile energy. The rotational band built on the $\text{11}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$[505] Nilsson orbital was observed up to spin $\text{19}\text{2}$, and two ΔI = 2 bands of positive parity were identified with spins up to $\text{19}\text{2}\text{and}\text{21}\text{2}$, respectively. These bands are associated with the $\text{i}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>13</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ single-particle structure.The data obtained in the present work together with data available in the literature are compared to the result of a particle-rotor coupling calculation. The ¹⁵³Sm nucleus is found to be a wellbehaved rotor. An appropriate single-particle level scheme for ¹⁵³Sm is established.     

Magnetic moments of the 12+ isomeric states in 194, 196, 198Pb

The g-factor of the 12⁺ isomeric state in lead isotopes with A = 194, 196, 198 was measured using the time-differential perturbed angular distribution method (TDPAD). The values obtained are respectively g(194) = ?0.158(6); g(196) = ?0.157(7); g(198) = ?0.144(11). A more precise determination of the 12⁺ level half-life is also made. The g-factprs of these nuclear states, which are described with v(i_{$\text{13}\text{2}$})^?2 as the main configuration, are surprisingly constant over a large mass range (between A = 206 and 194). A core polarization analysis explains this trend: the polarization induced on neutrons in i_{$\text{13}\text{2}$} orbit decreases with the mass number A (blocking effect), but a compensation is provided by the other spin-orbit partners f_{$\text{7}\text{2}$}-f_{$\text{5}\text{2}$} and P_{$\text{3}\text{2}$}-P_{$\text{1}\text{2}$}.     

Collective structures in185Hg

Excited states of¹⁸⁵Hg have been investigated via the¹⁶¹Dy(²⁸Si, 4n) reaction at 145 MeV. In-beamγ-ray spectroscopic studies have been performed with the “Château de Cristal” 4π-multidetector array. A level scheme of¹⁸⁵Hg has been established. Shape coexistence, still present in¹⁸⁵Hg like in the neighbouring Hg isotopes, manifests itself through a weakly populated decoupled band built on the 13/2⁺ isomer and three strongly-coupled bands built on the prolate 1/2^? [521], 7/2^? [514], and 9/2⁺ [624] Nilsson states.     

Yrast levels of 220Ra populated in the 208Pb(14C, 2n) reaction

Yrast states in the nucleus ²²⁰Ra were studied by means of the ²⁰⁸Pb(¹⁴C, 2n) reaction at 61 and 64 MeV. A staggering sequence of levels of positive and negative parity has been observed up to spin and parity I^π = 16⁺ (18 ⁺) and from I^π = 5^? to I^π = 17^?, respectively. These states are connected by strong E1 transitions competing with the stretched E2 transitions, the $\text{B(}\text{E}\text{1)}\text{B(}\text{E}\text{2)}$ ratio being ~ 10 ^?6 fm^?2. The ratio of the excitation energy of the 4⁺ state to that of the 2⁺ state is close to the vibrational limit. The moment of inertia associated with the negative-parity yrast states is slightly increasing with the rotational frequency ω. It is considerably higher than that of the positive-parity states at lower spins, the difference decreasing monotonically with increasing ω. The data are discussed with reference to the octupole vibrational picture as well as to the results of recent models predicting reflection-asymmetric shapes in the Ra-Th region.     

The lower excited states of CS: A study of extensive spin-orbit perturbations

We present previously unpublished data on the A¹Π, e³Σ^?, d³Δ_i, $\text{a′}{}^3\text{Σ}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$, and a³Π states of CS from uv emission and absorption transitions to the X¹Σ⁺ ground state. Term values obtained from d³Δ_i ← a³Π ir emission bands are also included. Rotational analyses are presented for about 50 new fine-structure components in some 30 new vibrational levels, together with extended data and analyses for many of the previously observed levels. The data now availabe for these five electronic states more than triples that previously published. Vibrational numbering for the e, d, and a′ states is established by data for minor isotopes. In a Hund's case a-b basis, off-diagonal spin-orbit elements (incipient case c effects) produce extensive coupling among these levels, not only for perturbation crossings but also between levels widely separated in energy. A systematic deperturbation requires two stages, which are iterated. Term values computed from the spectral lines are used to fit parameters of Hamiltonian matrices for groups of nearby, coupled levels. Additional shifts are computed by second-order perturbation theory from the electronic interactions deduced from vibronic coupling elements. The resultant parameters satisfy certain tests for self-consistency; they conform to low-order polynomials in $\text{v +}\text{1}\text{2}$, and vibrational overlap factors from wave-functions computed with RKR potential curves are proportional to the vibronic coupling elements, to within experimental error in most cases. To obtain this self-consistency, we have computed and applied normally neglected centrifugal distortion effects in the off-diagonal coupling elements and in the second-order perturbation sums. We also present and interpret the diagonal spin-orbit fine structure in the a and d states, including the centrifugal distortion parameters, A_D, for the latter, and values for several fitted second-order elements. Possible assignments for three additional perturbations of the A¹Π state and one faint band are discussed in view of ¹Δ, ¹Σ^?, and ⁵Π states that are also expected to occur in the region studied. Tentative parameters for the D¹Δ state are obtained from one possible set of assignments.     

The level scheme of 135Pr: Prolate deformation of the 112− isomer

The level scheme of ¹³⁵Pr has been investigated by means of off-beam γ-ray and conversion electron measurements as well as by methods of in-beam γ-spectroscopy. We measured γ-ray and conversion electron singles spectra, off-beam and in-beam γγ coincidences and γ-angular distributions. From the experimental data a detailed scheme of 22 excited levels for ¹³⁵Pr has been constructed. In addition to members of the decoupled band based on the $\text{11}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$ state six further negative parity states were identified. These states are strongly populated in the β-decay of a $\text{9}\text{2}$ isomer in the parent nucleus ¹³⁵Nd. A comparison of all the negative parity states with predictions of the alignment coupling model showed a nearly quantitative agreement, if softness of the core is taken into account. In this case, a prolate deformation with a deformation parameter β ≈ 0.13 was obtained for the $\text{11}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$ isomer in ¹³⁵Pr.     

Electromagnetic transitions in 51Mn

The nuclear structure of ⁵¹₂₅Mn was studied by γ-ray spectroscopy in the ⁵⁴Fe(p, α)⁵¹ Mn reaction (E_p = 9.0–13.2 MeV) and the ¹⁴N+³⁹K, ¹⁶O+⁴⁰Ca and ¹⁴N+⁴⁰Ca fusion-evaporation reactions (E_beam = 36 MeV). In the ⁵⁴Fe(p, αγ)⁵¹Mn reaction γ-rays were detected in coincidence with α-particles emitted near 180°; mean lifetimes and γ-ray mixing and branching ratios were deduced from Doppler shift attenuation and α-γ angular correlation measurements, respectively. Definite spin assignments are: 237 and 2416 keV, $\text{J}{}^{\mathrm{\pi }}\text{=}\text{7}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$; 1140 keV, $\text{9}\text{2}$^?; 1488 keV, $\text{11}\text{2}$^?; 1825 and 2140 keV, $\text{3}\text{2}$^?. The results for other states below 3 MeV are consistent with the existence of rotational bands (/kh²/2/OI/t~ 95 keV) built on the ($\text{3}\text{2}$⁺) 1817 keV and $\text{1}\text{2}$⁺ 2276 keV hole states. The various measurements together with an earlier value for the lifetime of the first-excited state determine unambiguously the B(M1) and B(E2) values for all of the decay branches of the $\text{7}\text{2}$^?, $\text{9}\text{2}$^? and $\text{11}\text{2}$^? lowest three excited states. From the γ-singles and γ-γ coincidence observations with fusion-evaporation reactions, the yrast cascade proceeds through these three states and higher states at 2957, 3250,3680 and 4139 keV which are suggested to have $\text{J}{}^{\mathrm{\pi }}\text{=}\text{13}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$, $\text{15}\text{2}$^?,$\text{15}\text{2}$^? and $\text{19}\text{2}$^?, respectively. The various experimental results for the $\text{5}\text{2}$^? → ($\text{19}\text{2}$^?) yrast states are in good overall agreement with shell-model calculations in the (f_{$\text{7}\text{2}$}¹ space.     

Rotational bands in 195, 197Tl

High-spin states in ^{195, 197}Tl have been populated with (α, xn) reactions and studied by means of in-beam γ-ray and e^? spectroscopic methods. Complementary studies of the decay of ^{195, 197}Pb to ^{195, 197}Tl have been carried out. Several new features have been observed in these nuclei. The $\text{9}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$ bands of ^{195, 197}T1. extended to $\text{27}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{(?)}}$ and $\text{29}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{(?)}}$, respectively, show a quenching of energy spacings between the $\text{23}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$, $\text{25}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$, $\text{27}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{(?}}$ and $\text{29}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{(?}}$ states. This has been interpreted as resulting from the coupling of a $\text{h}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>9</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ proton to the ($\text{π}\text{h}{}^{\mathrm{?2}}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>11</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{)}{}_{\mathrm{8+,\; 10+}}$ configurations in the core nuclei ^{194, 196}Hg. Furthermore, positive-parity bands based on $\text{15}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ states were established up to the $\text{35}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{(+)}}$ and $\text{29}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{(+)}}$ states in ^{195, 197}Tl respectively. Probably these bands originate from the coupling of a h${}_{\mathrm{<mtext>9</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ proton to a broken neutron pair. This pair consists of a rotation-aligned $\text{i}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>13</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ neutron and a low-j neutron in the $\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$, $\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>3</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ or $\text{f}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ shell. It is known to constitute the 5^? bands in ^{194, 196}Hg.