Deformation of nuclei close to the two-neutron drip line in Mg region

We present Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (HFB) calculations of the ground states of even Mg isotopes. A Skyrme force is used in the mean-field channel and a density-dependent zero-range force in the pairing channel. Our study shows that the ground states of^36,38,40Mg are strongly deformed with significantly different deformations for the neutrons and protons. Our study supports the disappearance of theN=28 shell gap in the Mg isotopes.     

The 12C(18O, α)26Mg and 12C(18O, 8Be)22Ne reaction

Excitation functions for α-emission leading to the ground and first excited states of ²⁶Mg and ⁸Be emission leading to the ground and first and second excited states of ²²Ne have been measured at several forward angles for E_c.m. = 15 to 22.4 MeV. There is little evidence for correlated structure. The angular distribution at 16.5 MeV for the α + ²⁶Mg(g.s.) channel is rather structureless while that for the ⁸Be+²²Ne(g.s.) channel appears to be dominated by a J = 13 contribution. Statistical model calculations indicate that much of the yield for both the α and ⁸Be exit channel is compound nuclear in origin, with some indication of a larger direct contribution for the ⁸Be channel at the lower end of the bombarding energy range.     

β-band excitation in inelastic hadron scattering and the mixing of the breathing mode into the low-lying β-vibrations

The excitation of the ²⁴Mg β-band 0⁺ and 2⁺ states at 6.43 MeV and 7.35 MeV, respectively, in inelastic hadron scattering has been considered in the collective model where coupling of these states of the states of the ground state band is via a ß-vibration coupled to the static deformation. It is found that coupled channel effects on the 0⁺ state excitation are rather important and moreover the excitation of the 0⁺ state can be satisfactorily explained only if a monopole breathing mode form factor is included in addition to the monopole β-vibration form factor.     

The (18O,16O) reaction on even tin isotopes

The two-neutron transfer reaction^ASn(¹⁸O,¹⁶O)^A+2Sn has been measured for the isotopes A=112, 116, 118, 120, 122 and 124 at bombarding energies of 57 and 60 MeV together with the elastic scattering. Angular distributions have been analysed for the transitions to the ground state and to the first excited 2⁺ state. The observed ground state transition is strongly enhanced. The theoretical DWBA analysis is performed with a finite range 2n-transfer form factor including recoil correction. The calculated cross section reproduces the observed systematic change over all isotopes. The absolute cross sections are normalized by a factor of 4.7 and 7.5, depending on the two different sets of 2n-wave functions used in the analysis. The results confirm the prediction of the pairing model that the transition strengths of a neutron pair between the ground states of even tin isotopes are the same.     

The deformation of the ground and excited states in the Ag and Sn nuclei

The microscopic calculation of the potential energies in the ground and excited states of Ag and Sn nuclei has been performed. The single particle Nilsson potential and the shell correction Strutinski method have been used. The weak sensitivness to nonaxial deformation has been found for even neighbours of these nuclei. The small tendency towards prolate deformation of the ground and excited one-quasiparticle states originating from theg _9/2 proton subshell in^101–105Ag odd isotopes has been noticed. The behaviour with quadrupole e and hexadecapole ε₄ deformation of the ground and two-quasiparticle excited 0⁺ states originating from thed _5/2,g _9/2 andg _7/2 proton subshells andh _11/2 neutron subshell in^112–118Sn has been investigated. The small quadrupole deformation of the excited 0⁺ states has been found what is in agreement with the experimental data concerning the rotational bands build on the first excited 0⁺ states in Sn isotopes.     

Clustering in neutron-rich nuclei

Clustering in nuclei is discussed putting emphasis on the investigation of the role of nuclear clustering in neutron-rich nuclei. The subjects we discuss include clustering in neutron-rich Be, B and C isotopes, clustering in the island of inversion around N = 20, and clustering in the region with A ≈ 40. Be isotopes present us typical examples of clustering in neutron-rich nuclei not only in their ground band states but also in their excited band states, for which we show the analyses based on antisymmetrized molecular dynamics (AMD). Clustering in Be isotopes near neutron dripline is intimately related to the breaking of the neutron magic number N = 8. In this connection we report our study about the possible relation of the clustering with the breaking of the neutron magic number N = 20 in the island of inversion including ³²Mg and ³⁰Ne. Our discussion is not only about the positive parity states but also about negative parity states. Recently in the latter half of sd shell and in the pf shell many excited rotational bands with large deformation have been found to exist. Since the first excited K ^π = 0⁺ and K ^π = 0^- bands in ⁴⁰Ca have been regarded as constituting inversion doublet bands having the ³⁶Ar + α structure, and since the first excited K ^π = 0^- band in ⁴⁴Ti has been concluded to have ⁴⁰Ca + α structure through the α transfer reaction and by using the unique α optical potential on ⁴⁰Ca, it is important to investigate the role of α clustering in these newly-found rotational bands with large deformation. We will report the AMD study about this problem.     

Molecular structure of nuclei

Cluster structures of nuclei are discussed, with emphasis on nuclear clustering in unstable nuclei. The subjects we discuss are alpha condensed states, clustering in Be and B isotopes, and clustering in ³²Mg and ³⁰Ne. The subject of alpha cluster condensation comes from the clustering nature of dilute nuclear matter. We discuss that recent heavy-ion central collision experiments give us nice evidence of the clustering in dilute nuclear matter. We then present a new prediction of the existence of the “alpha cluster condensed states” in the self-conjugate 4n nuclei around the breakup threshold energy into n alpha-particles. As for the clustering in neutron-rich Be, we discuss the comparison between the antisymmetrized molecular-dynamics results and the recent experimental data, which shows that the clustering feature manifests itself very clearly in neutron-rich Be isotopes both in the ground and excited states. Clustering in Be isotopes near neutron dripline is intimately related to the breaking of the neutron magic number N = 8. We report our recent study about the possible relationship between the clustering and the breaking of the neutron magic number N = 20 in ³²Mg and ³⁰Ne. Received: 21 March 2002 / Accepted: 16 May 2002 / Published online: 31 October 2002 RID="a" ID="a"e-mail: horiuchi@ruby.scphys.kyoto-u.ac.jp     

Hyperfine splitting constants in the optical transition \boldsymbol{{4{f}^{7}} {6{s}^{2}} \;{^{8}{\rm S}_{7/2}} \to {4{f}^{7}} {6{s}6{p}}\; {^{6}{\rm P}_{5/2}} \ {\rm of} \ {^{151-155}{\rm Eu}}} isotopes and hyperfine anomaly

Using the method of laser-induced fluorescence in an atomic beam we have measured the hyperfine splitting constants, A and B, of the ground and excited states of the optical transition 4f ⁷6s ^{2 8}S $_{1/2}\to 4f^{7}$ 6s6p ⁶P_5/2 (564.58 nm) for ^151???155Eu isotopes. For all isotopes, the magnetic dipole constants of the ⁶P_5/2 atomic level are determined to a precision better than 0.04%. The A and B constants for the ground state ⁸S_7/2 of the radioactive ^152,154,155Eu were obtained for the first time with a precision better than 0.5%. Our data along with previous ground state hyperfine structure measurements for the stable europium isotopes allow us to determine the hyperfine anomaly for mentioned Eu isotopes.     

Investigation of a possible abrupt change in structure atN = 58–60 using two-proton transfer

The (¹⁴C,¹⁶O) reaction on Cd isotopes has been investigated at an energy of 60 MeV. Relative spectroscopic strengths to the ground states are found to decrease nearN=60.     

Hyperfine structure and nuclear magnetic moments of some neutron-deficient thallium isotopes

Using the atomic-beam magnetic resonance method, hyperfine structure (h.f.s.) measurements have been performed in the²P_1/2 electronic ground state of the neutron-deficient thallium isotopes^193–202Tl. In the doubly odd isotopes, the magnetic dipole hyperfine interaction constantsa were determined, while in the odd-A isotopes, direct measurements of the nuclearg-factors,g _I , were made. The electronicg-factor was measured in¹⁹⁸Tl. The magnetic dipole moments of the doubly odd isotopes have been evaluated by a direct comparison with known values in the stable isotope²⁰³Tl. The moments of the odd-A isotopes are in agreement with pervious measurements by optical spectroscopy. A discussion of the magnetic dipole moments in terms of different nuclear models is included. The moments of the 2^? nuclear ground states of the doubly odd isotopes may be interpreted as arising from a combination of the configurations 2^? (πs_1/2 vf_5/2) and 2^? (πs_1/2 vp_3/2).     

The (p,t) reactions on nuclei in the rare earth region

The (p, t) reactions on isotopic targets of ^{178, 180}Hf and all the stable isotopes of Yb and on natural targets of Gd, Dy, Er, Hf, Ta, W, Os and Au were studied at a beam energy of 19 MeV with an average resolution of 12 keV. A split-pole magnetic spectrometer was used to measure (p, t) Q-values and absolute differential cross sections. On the basis of angular distribution shapes definite 0⁺ and tentative 2⁺ assignments were made. Rotational bands were identified assuming an I(I+1) spacing. The (p, t) reaction populates excited 0⁺ states strongly in ¹⁷⁴Yb, ¹⁷⁶Hf, ¹⁶⁶Yb and several Gd, Dy and Er isotopes. The ¹⁷⁴Yb and ¹⁷⁶Hf 0⁺ states are discussed in terms of the pairing phase transition and in terms of Nilsson orbitals with unequal (p, t) reaction amplitudes. Members of gamma and octupole vibrational bands were observed in the even-N nuclei. The lowest L = 0 transfers to states in ^{169, 171}Yb were found to have less than 55% of the strength to ground states in adjacent even-N nuclei. A strong L = 0 transfer to a state at 1513 keV in ¹⁷¹Yb indicates the presence of a possible K = 0 core vibration coupled to the unpaired $\text{5}\text{2}$[512] neutron. The natural targets have furnished information on trends in cross sections for members of ground bands, gamma bandheads, 3^? octupole states, and strongly excited 0⁺ states.     

The24Mg(p,t) reaction at 50 MeV

Angular distributions are given for tritons from the ground and first two excited states of the²⁴Mg(p, t)²²Mg reaction. Excitation energies, spins and parities of these levels are given, and a new level also reported.     

The “island of inversion" from a nuclear moments perspective and the g factor of 35Si

This paper reviews recent results from electromagnetic moment measurements on isotopes in the island of inversion around N=20. The obtained moments on neutron rich Na, Mg, Al and Si isotopes allow to draw conclusions on the amount of intruder components in their ground state wave function, demonstrating a gradual transition from the normal sd-shell region into the island of inversion, starting at N=18 for Na, N=19 for Mg and N=20 for Al isotopes. A measurement of the ground state g factor of ³⁵Si (N=21), using a polarized fragment beam at GANIL, is discussed in more detail. The magnetic moment μ(³⁵Si, I^π= 7/2^-) = (-)1.638(4) μ_N is consistent with a normal ground state structure, dominated by a νf_7/2 neutron.     

Penning-trap-assisted study of 115Ru beta decay

The beta decay of ¹¹⁵Ru has been studied by means of Penning-trap-assisted beta and gamma spectroscopy at the IGISOL facility. The level scheme of ¹¹⁵Rh has been substantially extended and compared with the level systematics of lighter rhodium isotopes. Tentative candidates for three states of the deformed K = 1/2 band have been suggested. The beta-strength distribution of the beta decay of ¹¹⁵Ru differs from the beta decays of ^{111, 113, 113m}Ru isotopes due to non-observation of the 3-quasiparticle states in ¹¹⁵Rh. The decay properties of ¹¹⁵Ru indicate a spin-parity of (3/2⁺ for its beta-decaying ground state. In addition, possible Nilsson states as well as the shape and spin transitions in odd neutron-rich ruthenium isotopes are discussed.     

Investigating highly excited states of the 8Li isotope

Highly excited states of the ⁸Li isotope are sought in absorption reactions of π^? mesons stopped by ^10,11B isotopes. The ground and three excited states of the ⁸Li isotope are observed in inclusive measurements of reactions ¹⁰B(π^?, d)X and ¹¹B(π^?, t)X. The states with excitation energies E _x ≈ 8.7 and 10.1 MeV are observed for the first time in correlation measurements of reactions ¹⁰B(π^?, dt)X and ¹¹B(π^?, tt)X.     

Transient field measurements of g-factors for 24Mg AND 26Mg

The g-factors of the first-excited J^π = 2⁺ states of ²⁴Mg and ²⁶Mg have been measured with the ion-implantation perturbed angular correlation technique (IMPAC). The precession of the spins of nuclei recoiling into a magnetized iron backing is predominantly caused by the transient magnetic field for these very light and short-lived (τ_m ≈ 1 ps) nuclei. The transient field, which attains a value of 200 T for the Mg isotopes, is present only during the slowing-down of the recoiling nucleus and results in average precession angles of about 1.5 mrad. The experimental results are treated in the framework of the transient field theory of Lindhard and Winther. This yields g-factors of g = +0.42b ± 0.09 and g = +1.3 ± 0.3 for ²⁴Mg and ²⁶Mg, respectively. The results are compared with theoretical predictions and for ²⁴Mg also with a recent time-differential deorientation experiment.     

Probing the structure of exotic nuclei by transfer reactions

Low energy single nucleon transfer reactions are proposed as a tool to investigate the structure of nuclei far off stability. Experimental concepts and conditions are discussed, in particular high resolution γ-ray spectroscopy after single nucleon pickup reactions. Nuclear structure is described by Skyrme Hartree-Fock calculations including pairing. As representative examples, binding energies, radii and wave functions for Mg and Sn isotopes are calculated. In the neutron deficient Mg isotopes a proton skin is found. At the neutron driplines the Mg and Sn isotopes develop extended neutron skins. The nuclear structure results are used in DWBA and EFR-DWBA transfer calculations. Single nucleon transfer reactions of ^32,36Mg and exotic Sn beams on targets ranging from ²H to ²⁴Mg in inverse kinematics are explored. The one-nucleon transfer cross sections decrease strongly for high-Z targets. An impact parameter analysis shows that the transfer process is selective on the tails of the wave functions. The largest cross sections are obtained for ²H and ⁹Be targets at incident energies of E _lab = 2-5 MeV/u. The energy-momentum dependence is closely related to the special properties of wave functions of weakly bound states. Two-neutron (p,t) stripping reactions are studied for a ⁶He projectile. A strong competition of sequential and direct processes is found at low energies. Received: 1 October 1997 / Revised version: 25 November 1997     

Decay spectroscopy of neutron-rich nuclei with A ≃ 100

We review structure data obtained by decay spectroscopy of neutron-rich nuclei of mass close to 100. Emphasis is put on the contribution of experiments at IGISOL in the nineties. They confirmed the earlier postulated shape coexistence in the fast shape-transition region between N = 58 (spherical ground states and low collectivity) and N = 60 (strong axial deformation). A detailed spectroscopic study of the A = 99 chain established the upper-Z limit of the N = 56 shell closure region with ⁹⁹Nb, owing to striking similarities with ⁹⁷Y. A consequence of the N = 56 closure is that the s _1/2 odd-neutron becomes the ground state of the most neutron-rich N = 57 isotones, starting with ⁹⁹Mo, instead of the degenerated d _5/2 and g _7/2 subshells familiar in the tin region. Consequences on the change of spin on astrophysical r-process calculations are briefly discussed. Finally, we say a few words about neutron-rich rhodium and palladium isotopes near the neutron midshell where regular and intruder states coexist very close to each other.