Radioactive decay of 217Pa

The radioactive decay of ²¹⁷Pa was investigated by means of α-γ-spectroscopy. Fine structure in the ground-state α-decay was established. Ambiguities in the fine structure of the α-decay of the previously known isomeric state could be clarified by α-γ-coincidence measurements. A previously unknown α-transition of E _α = (8306 ± 5) keV was detected and identified by means of delayed α-α- and α-γ-γ-coincidence measurements. A second isomeric state decaying by α-emission was not observed. The quality of the previously reported data of the α-decay fine structure of ²¹⁷Th was improved. Received: 29 April 2002 / Accepted: 17 June 2002 / Published online: 19 November 2002 RID="a" ID="a"e-mail: f.p.hessberger@gsi.de Communicated by J. ?yst?     

In-beam γ-ray spectroscopy of <Superscript>190</Superscript>Po: First observation of a low-lying prolate band in Po isotopes

Gamma rays from excited states of ¹⁹⁰Po have been observed using the Jurosphere Ge-detector array coupled to the RITU gas-filled separator. They were associated with a collective band which from spin 4 onwards resembles the prolate rotational bands known in the isotones ¹⁸⁸Pb and ¹⁸⁶Hg. This indicates that in ¹⁹⁰Po the prolate configuration becomes yrast above I = 2. The experimental results are interpreted in a two-band mixing calculation and are in agreement with α-decay data and potential energy surface calculations. Received: 10 January 2003 / Accepted: 19 February 2003 / Published online: 7 May 2003     

Nuclear spins, magnetic moments and α-decay spectroscopy of long-lived isomeric states in 185Pb

Alpha-decay properties of the neutron-deficient isotope ¹⁸⁵Pb were studied at the PSB-ISOLDE (CERN) on-line mass separator using the resonance ionisation laser ion source (RILIS). The nuclei of interest were produced in a 1.4 GeV proton-induced spallation reaction of a uranium graphite target. In contrast to previous studies, two α-decaying isomeric states were identified in ¹⁸⁵Pb. The relative production of the isomers, monitored by their α-counting rates, could be significantly changed when a narrow-bandwidth laser at the RILIS setup was used to scan through the atomic hyperfine structure. Based on the atomic hyperfine structure measurements, along with the systematics for heavier odd-mass lead isotopes, the spin and the parity of these states were interpreted as 3/2^- and 13/2⁺ and their nuclear magnetic moments were deduced. The α-decay energy and half-life value for the I ^π = 13/2⁺ isomer are E _α = 6408(5) keV, T _1/2 = 4.3(2) s, respectively; while for the I ^π = 3/2^- isomer ( T _1/2 = 6.3(4) s) two α-decays with E _α1 = 6288(5) keV, I _α1 = 56(2)% and E _α2 = 6486(5) keV, I _α2 = 44(2)% were observed. By observing prompt α-γ coincidences new information on the low-lying states in the daughter isotope ¹⁸¹Hg was obtained. Received: 7 February 2002 / Accepted: 19 February 2002     

β-decay half-lives of very neutron-rich isotopes of elements from Ti to Ni

The unknown β-decay half-lives of 22 isotopes far off stability (5 < T _Z < 10) in the region from Ti to Ni were measured at GSI, Darmstadt. The nuclei were produced in a fragmentation reaction of 500 A.MeV ⁸⁶Kr-projectile impinging on a thick Be target. The isotopes of interest were separated and identified with the fragment separator, FRS, by a combination of Bρ,Z, and ToF techniques. An additional range separation was performed by a selective implantation into granular detectors. The spatial and time correlations of the implant with the consecutively detected β-particles were used to determine the unknown half-lives. For nuclei far off stability, β-decay chains were measured and analyzed as well, leading to an even more reliable evaluation of the lifetimes. The large discrepancies found between the measured and the theoretical values emphasize that most recent theoretical work is not an improvement over calculations made almost a decade ago. Received: 1 October 1997     

Isomeric state of 80Y and its role in the astrophysical rp-process

A careful investigation of the isomeric transition of the long-lived state at 228.5 keV excitation energy in ⁸⁰Y has been done. The HIGISOL facility at the Jyv?skyl? isochronous cyclotron has been used. We used the electron magnetic transporter to prepare an appropriate source and to measure the electron spectra in clean background conditions. The measured internal conversion coefficient α_K = 0.50±0.07 allows unambiguous 1^- identification for the 228.5 keV first excited isomeric state in ⁸⁰Y. With a “bare" half-life of 6.8±0.5 s found in this work, this state is strongly populated in the rp-process during X-ray bursts and has therefore to be taken into account in X-ray burst model calculations. However, because of the similarity of the β-decay half-lives of isomeric and ground states, we find a maximum reduction in the effective β-decay lifetime of ⁸⁰Y of only 17±2%. Our results pave the way for a future investigation of the impact of the isomeric state on the “effective" ⁸⁰Y proton capture rate. Received: 14 March 2001 / Accepted: 10 July 2001     

Investigation of α-nucleus interaction in the 27Al (α,α)27Al scattering and 27Al (α, d )29Si reaction

Full finite-range macroscopic calculations in the distorted-wave Born approximation have been performed using the molecular and Michel α-nucleus potentials to analyze the angular distributions of cross-sections of the ²⁷Al(α, d)²⁹Si reaction, at 26.5 and 27.2 MeV incident energies, leading to seven transitions up to the excitation energy E _X = 4.08 MeV of the final nucleus. The parameters of the two types of the α-nucleus potentials are determined from the elastic-scattering data. Both the molecular and Michel potentials, without any adjustment to the parameters needed to fit the elastic-scattering data, are able in most cases to reproduce, simultaneously, the absolute cross-sections particularly at large angles, where the previous calculations failed to reproduce by orders of magnitude, and the gross pattern of angular distributions of the reaction. The deuteron-cluster spectroscopic factors for most of the seven transitions, deduced using the two α-²⁷Al potentials, differ from those obtained in earlier works. The spectroscopic factor for the ground-state transition, deduced in the present work for the 25.8 MeV data, agrees well with the shell model prediction. Received: 15 July 2002 / Accepted: 8 August 2002 / Published online: 10 December 2002 RID="a" ID="a"e-mail: akbasak2001@Yahoo.com Communicated by G. Orlandini     

Bremsstrahlung emission accompanying the α -decay of 214Po

We analyze the bremsstrahlung emission obtained by the α -γ coincidence measurements to investigate on the α -decay dynamics of the ²¹⁴ Po nucleus. We performed the experiment using a radioactive ²²⁶ Ra source leading, by α -decays, to the ²¹⁴ Po nucleus, and the apparatus with the Si detector for α -particles, the NaI(Tl) detector able to collect photons with energies up to about 1 MeV. We compare the experimental data with the quantum-mechanical calculations and find a good agreement between theory and experiment for photon energies up to 765 keV. In the experimental data of the bremsstrahlung spectrum one can see the presence of slight oscillations.     

New transitions in the β-decay of 36Ca

The β-decay of the T _z = - 2 nucleus ³⁶Ca was studied at the LISE3 magnetic spectrometer at GANIL. Two new proton-emitting states have been detected and the other nine known βp and βγ transitions have been remeasured with improved resolution. A simulation with the GEANT code has been applied to this experimental setup. A comparison with shell model calculations is given. Received: 19 September 2000 / Accepted: 28 February 2001     

Mirror decay of 75Sr

The β-decay of ⁷⁵Sr to its mirror nucleus ⁷⁵Rb was studied at the ISOLDE PSB facility at CERN by means of β-delayed γ and proton spectroscopy. The decay Q-value and β-delayed γ intensity were measured for the first time. These results, 10.60±0.22 MeV and 4.5^+1.9 _-0.7%, together with accurate measurements of the β-decay half-life and β-delayed proton branching ratio yielded the Gamow-Teller strength 0.35±0.05 for the mirror transition. Implications of the results on studies of deformation effects and on the path of the rapid proton capture process are discussed. Received: 26 September 2002 / Accepted: 30 October 2002 / Published online: 18 February 2003 RID="a" ID="a"e-mail: jussi.huikari@phys.jyu.lfi Communicated by D. Schwalm     

Configuration assignments and decay of 126La high-spin bands

High spin states of ¹²⁶La have been populated using the reaction ¹¹⁶Sn+¹⁴N at 68 MeV. γ-rays and conversion electrons were detected with the GAREL array. Multipolarities of the lowest-lying in-band dipole transitions have been determined from the deduced internal conversion coefficients. Experimental B(M1)/B(E2) ratios have been derived for the bands and compared with calculated values using the D?nau-Frauendorf geometrical model. Configurations are proposed for the bands comparing them with cranked shell model calculations and on the basis of the measured B(M1)/B(E2) ratios. The β-decay of ¹²⁶La has also been revisited. The population of the ¹²⁶Ba levels gives a probable spin value of five for the decaying high-spin ¹²⁶La state with T _1/2≈ 64 s which may indicate a signature inversion in the πh_11/2νh_11/2 band. Received: 12 October 1999     

Lifetimes and configuration mixing in 110Cd

Lifetimes of excited states in ¹¹⁰Cd have been measured by the Doppler shift attenuation method in the reaction (α,2nγ) at E _α= 25 MeV. Lifetime values for 8 states and lifetime limits for 3 states were obtained. The band structures of ¹¹⁰Cd have been interpreted in terms of a modified version of the interacting boson model (IBM + 2 q.p.). The calculations explain well the excitation energies and electromagnetic transition probabilities up to J ^π= 16⁺, except for the 10⁺ ₁ state. The structural features are discussed in terms of collective and two quasiparticle excitations. Received: 20 March 1999 / Revised version: 28 May 1999     

Shell model interaction between proton holes and between proton holes and neutron particles around 208Pb

An effective residual interaction between particles and holes for shell model calculations around ²⁰⁸Pb, derived from the interaction between free nucleons, is compared with the measured properties of proton-hole neutron states in ²⁰⁸Tl and the interaction between proton holes is adjusted to newly measured level energies in ²⁰⁶Hg. These interaction elements are particularly relevant for neutron-rich nuclei. The adjustment of two mixing elements reproduces the known γ-decay data in ²⁰⁸Tl. Received: 2 April 2002 / Accepted: 2 May 2002     

The 130Nd↦130Pr↦130Ce decay chain revisited

An investigation of low-lying energy levels of ¹³⁰Pr and ¹³⁰Ce has been made via β-decay. The radioactive parent nuclei were produced via ^94,96Mo + ⁴⁰Ca reactions at 6.8 MeV/nucleon and transported by a He-jet system. Gamma-γ-t, γ-X-t, γ-e^--t coincidence measurements were performed. Internal conversion coefficients have been measured with a magnetic spectrometer. The new β-decay half-life of ¹³⁰Nd has been determined to be 21(3) s. A partial level scheme of ¹³⁰Pr at low-spin has been constructed. The β-decay of ¹³⁰Pr to ¹³⁰Ce suggests the existence of three β-instable isomeric states in ¹³⁰Pr, while only one half-life T _1/2 = 40(4) s has been measured. Based on the present work and low-lying excited states in neighbouring odd-mass nuclei, the spins and parities of isomeric states in ¹³⁰Pr are proposed to be 2⁺, (4,5)⁺ and (7,8^±). The ground state in ¹³⁰Pr is still undetermined. Received: 20 August 2001 / Accepted: 6 November 2001     

A study of 223Ra populated by α-decay

The low spin states of ²²³Ra have been populated via α-decay from ²²⁷Th which was itself produced following β⁻ decay of an ²²⁷Ac source. α–γ and α−e _K,L,M angular correlation measurements have been analysed using the correct ground state spins of ²²⁷Th(=1/2⁺) and ²²³Ra(=3/2⁺) for the first time. The analysis has allowed unique J^π values to be assigned to almost all levels below 400 keV excitation in ²²³Ra. Values of (g _K−g _R)/Q ₀ have been deduced for several members of the K= 3/2^± bands (for the first time in an odd N nucleus in this mass region) allowing estimates of g _K and g _R to be extracted. The values of g _K and g _R are not significantly different for the positive and negative parity band members and tend to support other strong evidence that stable octupole deformation exists in ²²³Ra at low excitation energies. Received: 17 November 1997 / Revised version: 8 January 1998     

Alpha decay of the new isotopes 188,189Po

New neutron-deficient isotopes ^188,189Po have been produced in the complete fusion reaction of ⁵²Cr ions with a ¹⁴²Nd target at the velocity filter SHIP. The evaporation residues were separated in-flight and subsequently identified on the basis of α-γ and α-conversion electron coincidence measurements and of α-α position and time correlations. In ¹⁸⁹Po a ground state to ground state α decay with E_α1= 7540(20) keV, T_1/2= 5(1) ms and two fine structure α-decays at E_α2= 7264(15) keV and E_α3= 7316(15) keV have been observed. In ¹⁸⁸Po (T_1/2= 400⁺²⁰⁰ ₋₁₅₀μs) a ground state to ground state α decay at E_α= 7915(25) keV and a fine structure α decay at E_α= 7350(40) keV have been found. Improved data on the α-decay of ¹⁸⁹Bi were obtained. Received: 15 October 1999     

The α-decay energies and halflives of 195g,mAt and 199Fr

The α-decay energy and halflife of ^195mAt were determined to be 6960±20 keV and 385⁺⁶⁹ ₋₅₁ ms respectively, on the basis of genetic correlations in the ¹⁶⁹Tm(³⁶Ar, α6n)¹⁹⁵At reaction, while those of ^195gAt measured simultaneously were 7105±30 keV and 146⁺²¹ ₋₁₇ ms respectively, reconfirming the previously reported values. A new isotope ¹⁹⁹Fr was also produced and identified in the same way in the ¹⁶⁹Tm(³⁶Ar, 6n)¹⁹⁹Fr reaction, yielding E_α= 7655±40 keV and T_1/2= 12⁺¹⁰ ₋₄ ms. Received: 26 March 1999     

Synthesis and decay properties of superheavy atoms in nuclear reactions induced by stable and radioactive ion beams

This talk consists of two parts. The first one presents the results of investigations performed in 1998-2000 in Dubna on the synthesis of superheavy nuclei in reactions induced by ⁴⁸Ca ions. The radioactive decay properties of the nuclei, indicating a considerable increase in the α-decay and spontaneous fission half-lives of the isotopes of elements 110-116 when approaching the closed neutron shell at N = 184, are given. In the second part the possible ways of advancing into the region of more neutron-rich nuclei, using stable and radioactive ion beams, are discussed. Since so far no intense radioactive ion beams are available, some experiments with stable beams are considered as a test for the suggested ideas. Received: 1 May 2001 / Accepted: 4 December 2001     

The A = 51 mirror nuclei 51Fe and 51Mn

Eighteen previously unknown γ-ray transitions were identified in the T _z = - 1/2 nucleus ⁵¹Fe following the fusion-evaporation reaction ³²S(²⁸Si,2α1n)⁵¹Fe. The level scheme reaches the fully aligned I ^π = 27/2^- terminating state of the five holes in the f _7/2 shell. The 17/2^- state was found to be isomeric, and the lifetime was measured to be 2.87 ns. The mirror symmetry of ⁵¹Fe and ⁵¹Mn is discussed, and the level scheme of ⁵¹Fe is compared to shell-model calculations. Received: 20 July 2000 / Accepted: 1 August 2000     

Ground-state spin of 59Mn

Beta-decay of ⁵⁹Mn has been studied at PSB-ISOLDE, CERN. The intense and pure Mn beam was produced using the Resonance Ionization Laser Ion Source (RILIS). Based on the measured β-decay rates the ground-state spin and parity are proposed to be J ^π = 5/2^-. This result is consistent with the systematic trend of the odd-A Mn nuclei and extends the systematics one step further towards the neutron drip line. Received: 17 November 2000 / Accepted: 16 February 2001     

Multiple particle break-up study of low excited states in <Superscript>9</Superscript>Be: The ghost peak in the <Superscript>8</Superscript>Be excitation energy spectrum visited

The aim of this work is to find out the origin of the anomalous resonance in ⁸Be seen in the reactions through excited states in ⁹Be. We have populated the ⁹Be excited states by β-decay of ⁹Li. Energy and direction of the two α particles has been detected and the neutron spectra reconstructed. In our work we identified the “anomalous resonance" in ⁸Be observed in several reaction studies as coming from the decay of the 2.43 and 2.78 MeV states in ⁹Be. This anomalous resonance appears when the two detected α particles are assumed to form a resonance in ⁸Be. We argued that the main decaying channels for these two levels in ⁹Be do not involve ⁸Be.