Evidence for a 3.6 minute isomeric 12− state of the πh 11 2/−1 vi 13 2/−1 configuration in206Tl and effective two-particle interactions

Using the²⁰⁴Hg(α, pn)-reaction andα-particles of energies 39–55 MeV, we have found an isomeric 3.6 min 12^? state in²⁰⁶Tl at 2,642.9 keV which has the two-hole configurationπh ₁₁ ^2/?1 vi ₁₃ ^2/?1 The 12^? state decays mainly by anE5 transition of energy 1,021.4 keV to a 7⁺ state at 1,621.5 keV whose main configuration isπs ₁ ^2/?1 vi ₁₃ ^2/?1 There is, in addition, evidence for a weak 565 keVM 4 branch to an 8⁺ state at 2,078 keV whose main configuration should beπh ₁₁ ^2/?1 vf ₅ ^2/?1 . The 7⁺ state decays by a stretched cascade ofγ-rays to states of the following values ofJ ^π and excitation energy: 5 _? ⁺ , 1,405.4 keV; 4^?, 952.1 keV; 2^?, 265.8 keV and 0^?, 0 keV. The main configurations of these states areπh ₁₁ ^2/?1 vp ₁ ^2/?1 ,πd ₃ ^2/?1 vf ₅ ^2/?1 ,πd ₃ ^2/?1 vp ₁ ^2/?1 andπs ₁ ^2/?1 vp ₁ ^2/?1 respectively. From the nuclear masses of²⁰⁸Pb,²⁰⁷Pb,²⁰⁷Tl, and²⁰⁶Tl and the experimental excitation energies it is possible to obtain the proton hole-neutron hole interaction in²⁰⁶Tl. This interaction is compared with the calculations of Kuo and Herling and the discrepancies are discussed. The 12^?→8⁺ M4 transition rate is reduced because of destructive interference between the protonh _11/2→d _3/2 and the neutroni _13/2→f _5/2 contributions. The magnitude of the reduction is accurately reproduced by the wave functions of Kuo and Herling. The 12^?→7⁺ E5 transition rate is about twice as large as the single-holeπh ₁₁ ^2/?1 πs ₁ ^2/?1 transition rate. This deviation is fully explained by the configuration admixtures in the 7⁺ state, given by Kuo and Herling.     

On the yrast levels in204Pb

High-spin states in²⁰⁴Pb were populated in the²⁰⁴Hg(α,4n) reaction using α-particles in the energy region 42–51 MeV. Prompt and delayedγ-rays as well as conversion electrons were studied in addition to excitation functions, angular distributions andγ-γ coincidences. In this way a stretched cascade ofγ-rays from a level at 8125.9 keV was found to feed the previously known isomeric 9^? level at 2185.7 keV. Spins and parities were established for levels up to and including a 19^? level at 6098.0 keV. The levels with c= 17^2212; and 19^? at excitation energies of 5664.3 and 6098.0 keV are likely to be due to the simplep ₁ ^2/s-1 i ₁₃ ^2/?3 andf ₅ ^2/?1 i ₁₃ ^2/?3 configurations. The agreement between calculated and experimental energies for all observed levels in the regionJ=9–19 is very good in cases where the empirical two-particle interactions used are satisfactorily well known. Above the 19^? level there are three weakly populated levels at 7402.1, 7849.2 and 8125.9 keV, which are likely to haveJ≥20. None of these energies agrees with the calculated value 7695±20 keV for the 20⁺ state of thei ₁₃ ^2/?4 configuration which has the highest angular momentum produced by the four valence neutron holes. This apparent anomaly can be understood if the yrast levels withJ≥20 have angular momentum contribution from the core. It seems likely that the states at 7402.1, 7849.2 and 8125.9 keV are due to proton core excited states of the typeπh _9/2 h ₁₁ ^2/?1 ×νp ₁ ^2/?2 i ₁₃ ^2/?2 withJ ^π=20⁺ andJ ^π=21⁺ andπh _9/2 h ₁₁ ^2/?1 ×νp ₁ ^2/?1 f ₅ ^2?1 i ₁₃ ^2/?2 withJ ^π=22⁺ or 23⁺, respectively. The state at 8126 keV has the highest energy so far directly observed in a stretched cascade ofγ-rays from the decay of a heavy nucleus produced in (α, xn) reactions.     

The identification of element 108

In-beam studies with (α,4n) and (³He, 3n) reactions have located a second 10⁺ state closely above the 10⁺ isomers in¹⁴⁴Gd and¹⁴²Sm. The data characterize the¹⁴²Sm 10⁺ isomer as the νh ₁₁ ^2/?2 excitation in contrast to¹⁴⁴Gd where the 10⁺ isomer is of πh ₁₁ ^2/2 character.     

Two-nucleon excitations in 66 148 Dy82 from Gamow-Teller decay of the 67 148 Ho81 6− isomer

Two-particle excitations in the two-proton nucleus¹⁴⁸Dy populated inβ-decay of 10-s ¹⁴⁸Ho(6^?) were investigated throughγ-ray measurements following on-line mass separation. Theπh _11/2s_1/2 two-proton doublet and the (vh _9/2 s ₁ ^2/?1 )5^? neutron particle hole configuration are firmly identified, and theπh _11/2 d ₅ ^2/?1 and πh_11/2D_3/2 multiplets are also observed. The results suggest dominantπh _11/2vs ₁ ^2/?1 character for the¹⁴⁸Ho 6^?-isomer.     

(πh 11/2) n States expected in 68 150 Er82, 69 151 Tm82 and 70 152 Yb82

Predictions are made for the spectra associated with the (πh _11/2) ⁿ configuration whenn=4, 5 and 6. Since ₆₄ ¹⁴⁶ Gd₈₂ actsas if it is a closed shell, these states are expected to be low-lying in the nuclei ₆₈ ¹⁵⁰ Er₈₂, ₆₉ ¹⁵¹ Tm₈₂ and ₇₀ ¹⁵² Yb₈₂. The residualh _11/2 interaction is taken from the experimental spectrum of ₆₆ ¹⁴⁸ Dy₈₂ and it is shown that this conserves seniority to a high degree. Arguments are given as to why configuration mixing may be hard to detect from a study of the energy levels alone. TheM1 selection rule and the number dependence of theE2 transition rates within the identical nucleonh _11/2 configuration are discussed and it is pointed out that seniority isomers should be seen in these nuclei. This prediction provides a stringent test of the configuration assignment. Formulae are given and estimates are made for the energies of theπg _7/2 andπd _5/2-hole states.     

Isomeric decay studies using a recoil mass separator

Microsecond isomers in the exotic proton-richN=82, 83 nuclei¹⁵³Yb,¹⁵³Lu,¹⁵⁴Lu and¹⁵⁴Hf have been identified byγ-ray spectroscopy following mass analysis of¹⁰²Pd+245 MeV⁵⁴Fe reaction products using the Daresbury Recoil Separator. The decays of the isomers, interpreted asπh ₁₁ ^2/n andπh ₁₁ ^2/n vf_7/2 states, are characterized. The reduced E2 transition rates indicate that half-filling of theπh_11/2 subshell occurs just belowZ=71, and results for theN=83 odd-odd isotones are also consistent with this finding.     

Yrast states in the π- particle ν- hole nucleus 65 146 Tb81

The nucleus ¹⁴⁶Tb was studied from in beam γγ-and conversion electron measurements. The level scheme was established up to ～5MeV above the (πh_11/2 vd _3/2 ^?1 )_5? β-isomer. In addition to the known (πh_11/2 vh _11/2 ^?1 )₁₀₊ E3-isomer, the 8⁺ and 11⁺ members of this configuration were located. The levels at the yrast line are dominated by the couplings of the πh_11/2 vh _11/2 ^?1 valence nucleons to the collective 3^? octupole state and to the πh_11/2d _5/2 ^?1 and πh_11/2g _7/2 ^?1 particle-hole excitations of ¹⁴⁶Gd.     

Properties of the 69 150 Tm81 6− β-decaying isomer

Decay experiments for¹⁴⁸Ho 6^? and¹⁵⁰Tm 6^? were carried out at the GSI On-line mass separator using 5 MeV/A⁵⁸Ni-beams on⁹⁴Mo and⁹⁶Ru targets. Gammaγ-andγX-coincidences established the¹⁵⁰Tm 6^? decay scheme, and e^? gave firm I ^π assignments for¹⁴⁸Dy and¹⁵⁰Er levels fed in the decays. It was found that the previously unknown 6 ₁ ^? state in¹⁵⁰Er receives significantβ-strength, which strongly suggestsπh _11/2 νs ₁ ^2/?1 character for the¹⁵⁰Tm 6^? isomer. The results are discussed in terms of the expected GT strength function. Shell model calculations for theπh ₁₁ ^2/4 yrast states are presented.     

Gamow-teller transitions in β-decay of 66 146 Dy80

The β-decay of¹⁴⁶Dy₈₀ was studied by γ-ray and conversion electron spectroscopy following on-line mass separation. 58 % of the β-decay proceeding to a group of levels close to 2 MeV excitation is attributed to GT-decay of (πh ₁₁ ^2/2 )₀₊ pairs populating (πh_11/2νh_9/2νj ₀ ^?2 )1⁺ states in¹⁴⁶Tb₈₁. The total decay strength is significantly higher than found in¹⁴⁸Dy₈₂ decay, which arises from GT-transitions involving the ν-holes.     

In-beam study of the doubly-odd nucleus 61 140 Pm79 above the 8− β +-decaying isomer

An in-beamγ-ray study performed with the¹¹⁴Cd(³⁰Si,p 3n) reaction has established the structure of theN=79 nucleus¹⁴⁰Pm. States up toI=(20)? and 5.5 MeV excitation energy have been recognized above the 5.95 m isomeric state which we identify, from the GT decay to¹⁴⁰Nd, as the 8^? member of the (πd ₅ ^2/?1 vh ₁₁ ^2/?1 ) multiplet, changing the present 7^? assignment. The low energy part of the level scheme is discussed in terms of the coupling of the valence holes in respect to theZ=64,N=82 shell closure. A new 8⁺ isomeric state witht _1/2=1 _?0.5 ⁺¹ ns has been observed, having most likely a (πh _11/2 vh _11/2 ^-1 )₈ configuration.     

Magnetic moment of the 19/2+ isomer in135Ce

Employing the time-integral PAC technique with an external magnetic field, the g-factor of the 19/2⁺ state at 2,125.6 keV in¹³⁵Ce was determined to be g=?0.07(1). This value favours a predominant (h ₁₁ ^2/?2 s ₁ ^2/?1 ) neutron configuration for this level. Its meanlife has been redetermined with improved precision to be τ=11.8(5) ns.     

A new high-spin isomer in 39 97 Y58

An isomeric state at 3,523 keV excitation energy in⁹⁷Y with a half-life of 144(10) ms has been discovered with the fission-product separator JOSEF. This isomer is depopulated through aγ transition of 162 keV. AnE3 multipolarity for this transition is consistent with the measured conversion coefficients ofα _K =0.98(20) andα _T =1.00(19). Subsequent electromagnetic transitions populate several new⁹⁷Y levels which have high spins. For the isomer the three-quasiparticle configuration [πg _9/2?ν(h _11/2,g _7/2)]27/2^? is proposed. TheE3 transition with a strength about 2 single-particle units is supposed to be of the typeh ₁₁ ^2/+1 →d ₅ ^2/?1 . These findings provide evidence for the rapid shape transition atA?100 since they indicate shell-model character of ₃₉ ⁹⁷ Y₅₈ even at high excitation energies while the immediate neighbour ₃₉ ⁹⁸ Y₅₉ contains a rotational band based on a level at 495 keV.     

The magnetic moment of the 10+ isomer in140Ce andE1 transitions inN=82 isotones caused by outer subshell configurations

Using the reaction¹³⁸Ba(α,2n)¹⁴⁰Ce the magnetic moment of the 10 ₁ ⁺ isomer atE _x =3714.7 keV in theN=82 nucleus¹⁴⁰Ce has been determined by means of the TDPAD method toμ=+10.3(4)μ _N . Measuredg-factors in¹⁴⁰Ce are compared to calculations within the shell model with configuration mixing. For the 10 ₁ ⁺ isomer in¹⁴⁰Ce the four proton configuration π(1g ₇ ^2/2 ,2d ₅ ^2/2 ) has been found to be dominant. From theg-factor measurement strong contributions of multiparticle excitations to thegp2d _3/2,π3s ₁ ² or π1h ₁₁ ² shells and admixtures of neutron excitations to the wave function of the 10 ₁ ⁺ state could be excluded. The strongE1γ-branch of the deexcitation of the 10 ₁ ⁺ isomer in¹⁴⁰Ce can be explained by means of small admixtures of configurations which contain the outer subshell excitationsπ2f _7/2 andπ1h _9/2. On this basisE1 transitions experimentally observed in theN=82 nuclei¹⁴⁰Ce,¹⁴¹Pr and¹⁴⁵Eu may be understood.     

TheN=83 nucleus149Dy from Gamow-Teller decay of its 11/2− and 1/2+ 149Ho parents

A high-sensitivityγ-spectroscopic study of the¹⁴⁹Hoπh _11/2 andπs _1/2 β-decays using mass separated sources has located dominant 0⁺ → 1⁺ GT decay strength associated with decay of pairedh _11/2 protons, leading to 3п-states in the¹⁴⁹Dy daughter nucleus. In theirγ-decay low-lying¹⁴⁹Dy levels characteristic of anN=83 nucleus are excited. They include theνf _7/2,νp _3/2,νh _9/2 andνp _1/2 single particle- and theνs ₁ ^2/?1 andνd ₃ ^2/?1 two-particle one-hole states, as well as the νf _7/2 × 3^? andνf _7/2 × 2⁺ particle-phonon multiplets. A synopsis is given of these excitations in theN=83 isotones from¹⁴⁹Nd to¹⁵³Yb. The¹⁴⁹Dy GT decay strength is discussed in terms of the¹⁴⁷Tb₈₂ and¹⁴⁸Dy₈₂ decays. The strength function results are also compared with independent¹⁴⁹Ho 11/2^? decay data from the literature based on totalγ-ray absorption measurements.     

Shell model yrast states in theN=79 nuclei141Sm and143Gd

In (α,5n) in-beam γ- and electron measurements we have established high-spin states in the 3-neutronhole nuclei¹⁴¹Sm and¹⁴³Gd. Observed energy levels below 4 MeV are interpreted in terms of shell model configurations where the odd h_11/2 neutron hole couples to the N=80 core excitations containing one h_11/2 proton particle or one h_11/2 neutron hole. Higher-lying yrast states are built on a 23/2? level at Rd 3.2 MeV probably involving the πh ₁ ^2/2 guh ₁₁ ^2/?1 configUTa-tion.     

A 45 ns 8+ isomer in the doubly odd150Eu nucleus

In the doubly odd ₆₃ ¹⁵⁰ Eu⁸⁷ nucleus a 45 ns 8⁺ isomer at 589 keV excitation has been identified through (p, 3n) in beamγ ande ^? measurements. The low lying negative parity levels populated in its decay show great similarity to analogous states in the lighter odd-odd Eu neighbours suggesting a spherical shape for¹⁵⁰Eu. A spherical shape is also proposed for the isomer which is assigned as (πh _11/2 vf ₇ ^2/?3 )8⁺ state analogous to the 9⁺ isomers known in¹⁴⁸Eu and¹⁴⁶Eu. The spin change is attributed to the crossing of the half-filledf _7/2 neutron shell atN=86.     

Probing the weak boson sector inγe→Ze

We study possible deviations from the Standard Model in the reactionγe→Ze at a 500 GeVe ⁺ e ^? collider. As a photon source we use a laser backscattered photon beam. We investigate the most generalγZγ andγZZ vertices including operators up to energy-dimension-six which are Lorentz invariant. These vertices require four extra parameters; two are CP-conserving,h ₁ ^γ andh ₁ ^Z , and two are CP-violating,h ₂ ^γ andh ₂ ^Z . We present analytical expressions of the helicity amplitudes for the processγe→Ze for arbitrary values of anomalous couplings. Assuming Standard Model values are actually measured we present the allowed region in the (h ₁ ^γ ,h ₁ ^Z ) plane at the 90% confidence level. We then show how the angular correlation of theZ decay products can be used to extract detailed information on the anomalous (especially CP-violating)γZγ andγZZ couplings.     

Low energy π-π resonances in the Veneziano model

We attempt to impose elastic unitarity on the forward π-π scattering using the Veneziano Amplitude together with a crossing symmetric subtraction term as an input. TheN/D method is used and thep, ? mesons are interpreted as CDD poles. The self consistency requirement led to the evalutation of the low energy parameters and theS andP-wave phase shifts. The values of the scattering lengths obtained area ₀ ⁰ =0.084m _π ^?1 ,a ₂ ⁰ =?0.024m _π ^?1 ,a ₁ ¹ =0.047m _π ^?3 .     

High-spin states in206Bi populated in the205Tl(α, 3n) reaction

Using alpha-particles in the energy range 35–51MeV and in-beam gamma ray and conversion electron spectroscopy techniques the reaction²⁰⁵Tl(α, 3n)²⁰⁶Bi was studied. A 15±1ns isomeric 15⁺ state was found at an excitation energy of 3147keV in²⁰⁶Bi. The main configuration of the isomeric state is suggested to beπh _9/2 vp ₁ ^2/?1 i ₁₃ ^2/?2 . The isomeric state decays mainly through a stretched cascade of five gamma rays to the previously known 0.88ms 10^? state of theπh _9/2 vi ₁₃ ^2/?1 (j ^?2)₀₊ configuration at an excitation energy of 1045 keV. A shell model calculation of the yrast states has been performed and it is found that the calculation agrees fairly well with the experiments. The average deviation between experimental and calculated energies for the yrast states with angular momenta in the region 6–18 is +4keV and the root mean square deviation is 22 keV.     

The147Sm(n,α)144Nd Reaction on 2 keV neutrons

Through (p,2n) in-beam γ and e^? measurements the excitation of the 235 μs 9⁺ isomer in¹⁴⁶Eu has been determined to be 666.3 keV. High spin members of the πd ₅ ^2/?1 νf_7/2 and πg ₇ ^2/?1 νf_7/2 particle hole multiplets populated in the isomeric decay were located.