Shape coexistence and other aspects of nuclear structure in40Ar

Theγ-decay of⁴⁰Ar has been studied by particle-γ-ray coincidence measurements in the³⁷Cl(α, pγ) reaction at 12 and 13 MeV bombarding energy. Particle-γ-ray angular correlations and linear polarizations ofγ-rays were measured at 12 MeV. A lifetime measurement using the Doppler-shift attenuation method was performed at 11 MeV. The coexistence of spherical and deformed states in⁴⁰Ar could be concluded from the observation of aK ^π=0⁺ rotational band which has itsI ^π=0⁺ through 6⁺ members at 2,121, 2,524, 3,515 and 4,959 KeV excitation energy. The intrinsic quadrupole moment derived fromB(E2) values is ∥Q ₀∥=1,320 _?120 ⁺⁶⁰ mb. Negative-parity states with high spin were observed at 4,858(5^?), 4,494(5^?), 4,226(4^?) and 4,991 KeV(4^?) excitation energy. A complete account of all levels below 5 MeV excitation energy is obtained by a model in which twod _3/2 proton holes couple weakly to the⁴²Ca levels below 4.75 MeV excitation energy.     

Search for missing predicted high-spin states in28Si

New shell model calculations have predicted several high-spin (I ^π=5⁺ and 6⁺) levels in²⁸Si near 10 MeV excitation energy which are missing from or ambiguous in existing experimental studies. Angular distributions, linear polarizations and Doppler-shifts ofγ-rays have been measured for theγ-decay of theE _p=1,911 and 2,073 KeV resonances of the²⁷Al(p, γ) reaction in an attempt to discover these missing states or confirm the discrepancies between experiment and theory. The excitation energies and spin-parities of the resonances were determined as 13,424.4±0.2 keV,I ^π=5⁺ and 13,582.3±0.5 keV,I ^π=6⁺. States populated in theγ-decay of these resonances were assigned spins and parities as follows: 11,777 keV,I ^π=5⁺; 11,331 keV,I ^π=6⁺; 10,417 keV,I ^π=5⁺; 9,417 keV,I ^π=4⁺ and 8,945 keV,I ^π=5⁺. On the basis ofγ-ray transition rates T=1 is assigned to the 13,424 keV level and T=0 to the 10,417 and 11,777 keV levels. With the new data excellent agreement is achieved between the experimental spectrum of²⁸Si and the new shell model predictions. These data provide evidence for aK ^π=3⁺ rotational band comprised by the 6,276, 6,889, 8,945 and 11,331 keV levels. This band emerges also from the shell model wave functions as do theK ^π=0⁺ bands based on the ground state and the 6,691 keV state.     

Structure of30Si from the spectroscopy of highly excited states

Highly excited states in³⁰Si were investigated using the²⁷Al(α, p γ) reaction. Proton-γ ray angular correlations were measured atE _α=12, 14.1 and 15MeV. At 15MeV linear polarizations ofγ-rays were measured in coincidence with protons using a five-crystal Compton-polarimeter. Lifetimes were measured atE _α=14.6 MeV using the Dopper-shift attenuation method. Unambigious spin-parity assignments were obtained for the levels at 6,865 (3⁺), 7,001 (5⁺), 7,079 (3⁺), 7,810 (4), 9,371 (6⁺), 7,613 (4^?), 8,196 (5^?), 8,596 (4^?), 8,963 (5^?), 9,111 (6^?), 9,350 (4^?), 9,507 (5^?), 9,777 (6^?), 10,188 (5^?), 10,305 (3^?), 10,561 (6^?), 10,725 (7^?), 11,477 (6^?) and 11,544 (7^?)keV excitation energy, respectively. The structure of³⁰Si is understood both in terms of the shell model and the collective model. The levels at 5,487, 6,505, 8,196, 9,777 and 11,544keV, respectively, are theI ^π=3^? through 7^? members of a well developedK ^π=3^? rotational band with intrinsic quadrupole moment |Q ₀|=350 _?70 ⁺²⁵⁰ mb. There is evidence of further rotational bands, among them aK ^π=3^? band with |Q ₀|=800 _?80 ⁺⁴²² mb.     

Structure of28Si from the spectroscopy of high-spin states

A search for high-spin states in²⁸Si has been performed byn?y coincidence measurements in the²⁵Mg(α,nγy) reaction atE _α=14 and 15.5 MeV. Spin-parity assignments of the observed levels were obtained fromn?γ angular correlation and lifetime measurements atE _α=14.5 MeV. Theγ-decay of the 9,164 keV level was investigated separately with the²⁷Al(p, γ) reaction at theE _p=2,160 and 2,312 keV resonances. Rotational bands withK ^π=3^? (comprising levels atE _x=6,879, 8,413, 10,188 and 12,204 keV),K ^π =5^? (comprising levels atE _x=9,702, 11,577 and 13,741 keV) andK ^π=0⁺ (comprising levels atE _x=6,691, 7,381, 9,164 and 11,509 keV) were observed. The finding of the latter band supports the idea of coexisting oblate and prolate shapes in²⁸Si. A level at 14,643 keV excitation energy has the properties of theI ^π=8⁺ member of the ground state band. There are additional positive-parity high-spin states which do not fit into rotational bands. All types of positive-parity states are well accounted for by shell model calculations.     

Coulomb excitation of230Th with32S,84Kr and142Nd projectiles

The Coulomb excitation measurements for the²³⁰Th nucleus with³²S,⁸⁴Kr and¹⁴²Nd projectiles are presented. The use of different projectiles allowed us to get information in the ground-state band and side bands. The energy spectrum of the ground-state band and of the lowest negative-parity band have been investigated up to the spin valueI=24⁺ andI=19^?(21), respectively. Five side bands (K ^π=0⁺, 2 ₁ ⁺ , 2 ₂ ⁺ , 1^?, 2^?) were observed also. The branching ratios for a large number of transitions in the spin regionI≦10 for π=+1 andI≦9 for π=? 1 are analysed. The full set of experimental data contains information on the mixing of the adiabatic states and on the nuclear response to the electromagnetic field ofγ-radiation. It is shown that the experimental data may be explained taking into account the coupling of the ground-β- and twoγ-bands and also of theK ^π=0^?, 1^? and 2^? negative-parity bands. An enhancement of the transitions from theγ-to theβ-band in respect to the transitions from theγ to the ground band and from theβ- to the ground band is reported. The mixing of the negative-parity bands is found to be typical for the alignment of the octupole-vibrational angular momentum. The strong spin dependence of the intrinsic matrix elements of the electric-dipole operator follows from the branching ratios of inter- and intra-band transitions from theK ^π=0^? states.     

The structure of25Mg

Gamma-decay modes and spin(-parity) assignments of levels in²⁵Mg have been systematically investigated up to 10 MeV excitation energy by particle-γ-ray angularcorrelation measurements with the²⁴Mg(d, pγ) reaction at 6.5 MeV bombarding energy and with the²²Ne(α,nγ) reaction at 11.8, 12.5, 14.4 and 15.5 MeV bombarding energy. A level scheme has been established which is comprehensive up to 8.3 MeV excitation energy forI≦9/2 and up to 10 MeV for 9/2O d _5/2 — 1s _1/2-O d _3/2 shell and the unifieds-d shell Hamiltonian. The agreement is good to excellent. The first intruder states are located near 6.8 MeV excitation energy. The collective properties of²⁵Mg beyond the well established rotational bands are investigated using both the new experimental information and theB(E2)'s obtained from the shell model. The spectrum of²⁵Mg is completely rotational for the first five to six MeV above the yrast line. Shell modelB (M 1)'s reflect the Nilsson model structure of²⁵Mg in great detail. The prospectiveI ^π=9/2^?, 13/2^?, and 15/2^? members of the established negative-parity,K=1/2 band are found in levels atE _x=7801, 9410, and 8896 keV.     

Quantum numbers of26Al levels above 6 MeV excitation energy

Measurements of resonance strengths and ofγ-ray angular distributions or anisotropies have been performed on selected resonances of the²⁵Mg(p, γ) reaction in the rangeE _p=2–4 MeV,E _x=8.2?10.1 MeV with an emphasis on high-spin andT=1 analog resonances. EightT=1 states are identified, among them high-spin states at 8747 keV (I=6), 9286 KeV (I=5), and 9986 keV (I ^π = 7⁺, 6⁺). Shell model calculations in thes-d basis space reproduce the branching ratios of these states and clarify the nature of final states. New high-spinT=0 states are observed at 9720 keV (I ^π = 7⁺), 8602 keV (I = 6), and 6695 keV (I ^π = 7⁺). TheI ^π assignments to severalE _x = 6–8 MeV states are revised and the role of two-particle excitations into thef-p shell is elucidated. A revised spectrum of 73 positive-parity,T = 0 states is compared to the predictions of shell-model calculations in thes-d basis space using the universals-d shell Hamiltonian.     

Nuclear levels in228Th populated in the decay of228Pa

The electron-capture decay of²²⁸Pa to levels in²²⁸Th has been studied using mass-separated sources and high-resolutionγ-ray and conversion-electron spectroscopy. A level at 979.5 keV is assigned as 2⁺ member of a second excited K_π=0⁺ band, with the 0⁺ band head at 938.6 keV. The 2⁺ and 3⁺ members of a second excited K_π=2⁺ band at 1153.5 and 1200.5 keV, which decay by strongE0 transitions to the 969 keVγ-vibrational band, are confirmed. In addition we tentatively propose a K_π=1⁺ band at 944 keV. The K_π=0^?, 1^? and 2^? members of the octupole quadruplet are confirmed, and theγ decay of these levels is analysed in an approach, in which the mixing of the octupole bands by the Coriolis interaction is taken into account. It is suggested that octupole correlations might be important for theE1 transition moments. A total of 29 levels is observed between ～1.4 and ～2.0 MeV, for which the nuclear structure, and the possible assignment to rotational bands, is unclear.     

Recoil distance lifetime measurements in82Kr

The lifetimes τ=124±12, 6 _?2 ⁺⁴ and 380±100 ps of theE _x (I ^π )=3.46(8⁺), 2.92(6⁺) and 3.04(6^?) MeV states, respectively, populated by the reaction⁷⁶Ge(¹²C,α2n) were measured with the recoil distance method. In addition upper lifetime limits were obtained for nine states. The measured lifetimes and energies indicate a band crossing at aboutI ^π =8⁺, probably arising from the alignment of twog _9/2 neutrons. For the 3.04 MeV 6^? state as a second member of a band built on the 2.65 MeV 4^? state the measured lifetime points to a two-quasiparticle configuration. The positive-parity states have been discussed in the frame of the interacting boson approximation, nuclear field theory and the cranked shell model.     

The structure of28Si above 10 MeV excitation energy III: Level scheme and shell model interpretation

²⁸Si level scheme up to 14.5 MeV excitation energy is reevaluated using information from two preceding papers. It consists of approximately 250 levels which are almost completely characterized according to the quantum numbersI, π, T of the levels. The properties of positive-parity states are compared to the predictions of shell model calculations within the completes-d basis space using the unifieds-d shell Hamiltonian. A spectrum of 48 experimentalT=1 states between 9.3 and 16 MeV is reproduced with a rms deviation of only 150 keV. A calculation of radiative widths and γ-decay modes which uses free-nucleong-factors yields excellent agreement with experiment and confirms that quenching of M1 transitions is only marginal in²⁸Si. The detailed shell model analysis of theT=0 spectrum is extended to the limiting energy whereT=1 wave function admixtures, not contained in the theory, become important experimentally. This happens at 6–8 MeV above the yrast state, depending on the spin value. Altogether it appears that a spectrum of 171 levels below 14.5 MeV, which have positive or unassigned parity, is almost completely accounted for by the model. Apparent intruder states from outside thes-d shell space are observed atE _x =10 945 keV (I ^π=4⁺) and 12 860 keV (I ^π=6⁺) and are interpreted as members of aK ^π=0⁺ rotational band.     

High-spin states in48Ti

The⁴⁵Sc(α, p γ) reaction has been investigated atE ^α=11, 12 and 13MeV. Theγ-decay of 198 levels in⁴⁸Ti up to 8,323 keV excitation energy has been observed. High-spin states were investigated by proton-γ ray angular correlation measurements atE=11 and 13MeV and by DSAM lifetime measurements atE=11 MeV. From the combined evidence spin (-parity) assignments were obtained for the levels atE _x =8,323 keV (J= 10,8,6), 8,091(12, 10, 8, 6), 7,668(10, 8), 7,427(9, 7), 7,374(11, 9, 7), 6,906(10, 8, 6), 6,172(8⁺,6⁺), 6,102(10⁺,8⁺), 6,039(6), 6,034(9⁺, 7⁺), 5,630(7), 5,197(8⁺), 5,169(7⁺), 5,155(5), 4,404(5), 4,398(6⁺) and 4,046keV (5). Most of the ambiguous spin assignments become unique if the 8,091 keV level hasJ=12, an assumption which is favoured by its excitation function. The level spectrum thus obtained is well reproduced by shell model calculations in the pure (f _7/2)⁸ configuration space. Discrepancies exist in the reproduction ofγ-decay modes. The reason is found in low-lying high-spin intruder states which include the 7,427 and 8,323 keV levels. The spectrum of negative-parity states is understood qualitatively by a comparison with⁴⁶Ti and⁴²Ca.     

Spectroscopy of highly excited states in29Si

Particleγ-ray coincidences have been measured in the²⁸Si (d,pγ) reaction at 6.5 and 7 MeV bombarding energy, in the²⁶Mg (α,nγ) reaction at 12, 14 and 15 MeV, and in the²⁷A1 (τ,pγ) reaction at 9 MeV. Theγ-decay has been observed for all bound states of²⁹Si and for 56 unbound states up to 12,960 KeV excitation energy. Particleγ-ray angular correlations were measured in the²⁸Si (d,pγ) reaction at 6.5 MeV and in the²⁶Mg (α,nγ) reaction at 12 MeV. Spin (-parity) assignments or restrictions were obtained for nearly all bound states and some high-spin states above the binding energy. The assignment of mirror levels in²⁹Si and²⁹P has been extended to 8.2 MeV excitation energy. The excitation energies of 41 positive-parity states are reproduced by shell model calculations. The possible existence of aK ^π=5/2⁺ band with prolate deformation is discussed.     

Deformed states of high spin in42Ca

The⁴²Ca levels at 4,715 and 6,633 keV excitation energy have been investigated using the³⁹ K(α,pγ reaction atE _α=14 and 15 MeV. From particle-γ-ray angular correlations the spin assignmentsJ(4,715)=6, 4 andJ(6,633)=8, 6, 4 have been obtained. Lifetime measurements using the Doppler-shift attenuation method yieldedτ (4,715)=120±46 fs andτ(6,633)=52±21 fs. Both levels have positive parity and decay by enhancedE2 transitions. They are interpreted as theJ ^π=6⁺ and 8⁺ members, respectively, of theK ^π=0⁺ rotational band which has theE _x =1,837, 2,423 and 3,250 keV states as further members. The enhancement of inbandE2 transitions is 50 _?16 ⁺³⁵ W.u. (6→4) and 63 W.u. (8→6) respectively. The intrinsic quadrupole moments which have been derived on the basis of the coexistence model, areQ ₀=1.13?0.16/+0.37b(8→6) andQ ₀=1.36±0.25b(6→4), respectively. TheJ ^π=10⁺ member of the rotational band has possibly been observed as a level at 8,856±5 keV excitation energy.     

Dipole bands and multi-quasiparticle excitations in193Pb

The nucleus¹⁹³Pb was populated via the¹⁶⁸Er(³⁰Si,5n) reaction at a beam energy of 159 MeV and studied with the EUROGAM II spectrometer. Five new dipoleΔI=1 cascades have been found. These structures have been connected to the level scheme which has been considerably extended up to a spin of 61/2? and an excitation energy of about 8 MeV. Angular distribution coefficients,α ₂, have been measured and confirm the dipole character of the in-band transitions. B(M1)/B(E2) ratios have been extracted for the two most intense cascades. The¹⁹³Pb dipole bands are discussed in comparison with those known in odd lead isotopic series and the structure of the band heads is analyzed in terms of microscopic HF-BCS calculations. The proposed configurations are based on a high-K two quasiproton excitation,π([505]9/2^??[606]13/2⁺) _K =11^?, coupled to one or three rotation aligned quasineutrons involving thei _13/2,p _3/2,f _5/2 and/orh _9/2 subshells. The main difference, compared with the heavier lead isotopes, is the presence of largeΩ orbitals from theν (i _13/2) shell near the Fermi surface which are responsible for the increasing band-head spin as A decreases.     

Three-nucleon yrast states in145Sm

In-beamγ-ray and conversion electron measurements with (α, xn) reactions have established the¹⁴⁵Sm highspin states up toI ^π=25/2⁺ at 3.5 MeV excitation. A shell model analysis using empirical two- and one-body energies from neighbouring nuclei classifies the low-lying odd-parity levels as 3-quasiparticle states formed by the¹⁴⁴Sm two-proton-hole excitations and thef _7/2 valence neutron. The higher-lying positive-parity states involve particle-hole core excitations with one proton inh _11/2.     

Two-nucleon production of hyperons and the search for strange dibaryons

The double charge exchange reaction³He(K^?,π ⁺)Xn was studied at 870 MeV/c. In the X missing mass range below the sigma-nucleon production threshold (2130 MeV/c²), events were detected which can be attributed to the two-nucleon process pp(K^?,π ⁺)λn. This reaction and mass range also offers good prospects for finding theI=1/2,l=1 (¹ P₁) spin-singlet dibaryon D_s suggested as the lowest massS=?1 dibaryon in the MIT Bag Model. Although the existence of the D_s is not ruled out by the present data, there is no need to invoke such an object to account for the observed events below σ production threshold. We show that the cross section level for these events is compatible with a dominant two-nucleon mechanism K^?p→π ⁰λ,π ⁰p →π ⁺n. We also offer an interpretation of the recent (K^?,K⁺) data on nuclear targets from Iijimaet al., which display a broad peak centered around a K⁺ momentum of 600 MeV/c. We find that the two-nucleon mechanism K^?N →πY,πN→K⁺Y produces cross sections which are at least an order of magnitude smaller than those observed, and we suggest that the one nucleon process K^?p →Φλ, followed by the decayΦ → K⁺K^?, accounts for the data.     

On the coexistence of oblate and prolate deformed bands in83Zr

Deformation parameters of the positive parity yrast band and negative parity bands in⁸³Zr are deduced from lifetimes andE2/M1 mixing ratios. Lifetimes of high spin states have been determined from recoil distance Doppler shift and Doppler shift attenuation measurements using the⁵⁴Fe(³²S,2pnγ) ⁸³Zr reaction. Ten lifetimes and five lifetimes limits were determined. The positive parity band, built on theg _9/2 K=5/2 orbital has an average deformation ¦β ₂¦=0.28(2), and shows a reduction ofE2 transition strengths in the observed backbend region at I^π≈21/2⁺. In contrast, theE2 strengths in the negative parity states show a steady increase up to I^π≈=15/2^?. These states are more strongly deformed than the positive parity states (¦β ₂¦=0.33(3)). TheE2/M1 mixing ratios show that the negative parity band hasK=3/2 and is prolate, and favour oblate deformation for the positive parity yrast band. In theK=1/2^? band theE2 strength of the 7/2^?→3/2^? transition yields a deformation ¦β ₂¦=0.26(5). The band structure is compared with calculations within the Hartree-Fock Bogoliubov cranking model.     

Structure of the mirror nuclei21Ne and21Na

Theγ-decay of levels in²¹Ne up to 10 MeV excitation energy has been investigated byn — γ coincidence measurements initiated with the¹⁸O(α, nγ) reaction at 12, 13, 14.5 and 15.4 MeV bombarding energies. Spin(-parity) assignments of excited states are obtained by combining then — γ angular correlation measurements performed atE _α=11, 11.82 and 13.6 MeV with a consideration of lifetimes, neutron penetrabilities of the unbound states, and information from the mirror nucleus²¹Na. The resulting values of E_x[keV]?J ^π are as follows: 4525-5⁺, 4686-3⁺, 5431-7⁺, 5549-3⁺, 5819-7^?, 6175-7⁺, 6268-9⁺, 6550-9, 6639-9, 7006-7⁺, 7041-9, 7356-7 or 9, 7422-11^(?), 7648-7⁺, 7981-11 or (7⁺), 8154-9, 8240-11, 8664-9^? or 11 or 13^?, 9401-13^?, 9867-13^? or 15⁺, 9941-13^? or 15 or 17⁺. The assignment of mirror levels in²¹Ne —²¹Na has been extended to the 6175 keV level of²¹Ne. Excitation energies, electromagnetic properties, Gamow?Teller matrix elements and spectroscopic factors of positive parity states are compared with the results of shell-model calculations which employ a unifieds—d shell Hamiltonian and the unrestricted configuration space of the 0d _5/2 —1s _1/2—0d_3/2 shell. Collective properties contained in shell model wave functions are explored up to the termination of bands atJ=17/2 or 19/2. The spectrum of intruder states in²¹Ne is observed to begin with a 5628 keV,J ^π=7/2⁺ state. The 7422, 8664 and 9401 keV levels are assigned as members of previously established negative-parity rotational bands.     

Band structures in73Se

Excited states of⁷³Se have been investigated up to spin, 21/2 using techniques of in-beamγ-ray spectroscopy in connection with the⁷⁰Ge(α, n) reaction. Mean lifetimes of 12 levels have been determined applying Doppler-shift andγ-RF-methods. Five different bands have been identified that reflect a variety of different excitation modes. The decoupled 9/2⁺ band is likely to correspond to an oblate deformation while the 5/2⁺ band is interpreted as a strongly coupled prolate band built on the Nilsson configuration [422] 5/2⁺. The 3/2^? band is a strongly coupled band built on the [301] 3/2^} configuration.Nuclear reactions:⁷⁰Ge(α,n),E=14, 16, 18, 19, 20MeV; measuredE _γ,I _γ,σ(E _γ,θ),γγ-coin, linear polarization, DSA,γ(t).⁷⁵Se deduced levels,I, π, τ, δ(E2/M1), B(σλ). Enriched targets, Ge detectors.     

Investigation of the ground state rotational bands in233U and239Pu in the (α, 3n) reactions

The ground state rotational bands in²³³U and²³⁹Pu were investigated in (α, 3n) reactions. Conversion electrons were measured with an iron free orange spectrometer in order to suppress the background from fission. Levels up toI ^π=33/2⁺ of theK=5/2 band in²³³U andI ^π=31/2⁺ of theK=1/2 band in²³⁹Pu were identified ine ^?γ coincidence measurements. The level energies of both rotational bands can be well described up to the highest observed spins by a two-parameter angular velocity expansion. The electromagnetic properties of theK=1/2 band in²³⁹Pu are discussed.