Search for giant spin-flip transitions in 90Zr and 208Pb

We have searched for the giant magnetic dipole resonance in ⁹⁰Zr and an associated state in ²⁰⁸Pb. Among the experimental techniques employed in this search was the detection of inelastically scattered protons in coincidence with ground-state de-excitation γ-rays, No state in ⁹⁰Zr up to an excitation of 10.5 MeV or in ²⁰⁸Pb between 5.0 to 6.0 MeV was observed with the desired characteristics. In ⁹⁰Zr, heretofore unidentified levels at 5.51, 5.89 and 6.42 MeV were determined to have J^π = 1^?. In ²⁰⁸Pb J^π = 1^? states were observed at 5.29, 5.51 and 5.94 MeV. The implications of our observations are discussed.