Multi-quasiparticle states in 179Ta and structural changes in the yrast line of the odd tantalum isotopes

High-spin states in ¹⁷⁹Ta have been studied by a variety of γ-ray spectroscopic techniques following the ¹⁷⁶Yb(⁷Li,4n) reaction. The new results independently confirm and extend the one-, three- and five- quasiparticle bands proposed previously. The more comprehensive results obtained allow firm spin assignments to be made and also the identification of rotational bands associated with the higher seniority intrinsic states. Configuration assignments follow from analysis of these rotational band properties. To explain changes in the yrast line across the chain of isotopes from ¹⁷³Ta to ¹⁷⁹Ta, multi-quasiparticle calculations have been performed and compared with experiment. The calculations, which treat pairing correlations using the Lipkin-Nogami approach and include blocking, incorporate single-particle energies adjusted to reproduce the observed one-quasiparticle bandheads. Properties specific to ¹⁷⁹Ta include evidence for configuration mixing in the $\text{21}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{-}}$ isomer configuration. Its decay is one of several anomalously fast K-hindered transitions observed and discussed in terms of configuration changes and other mechanisms.     

Structure of the doubly odd nucleus 180Ta: Description of 23 bands

The structure of the doubly-odd nucleus ¹⁸⁰Ta has been studied by γ–γ coincidence measurements with a DC beam at 52 and 57 MeV and time-correlated γ–γ coincidence measurements with a pulsed beam at 55 MeV via the ¹⁷⁶Yb(¹¹B, α3n)¹⁸⁰Ta reaction. In all measurements, γ-rays were detected in coincidence with charged particles. In the time-correlated γ–γ coincidence measurements with a pulsed ¹¹B beam, three rotational bands and one octupole vibrational band have been identified above the I^π=15⁻ T_1/2=30 μs isomer. The configuration of three bands built on 8⁺ states has been discussed by means of three-band mixing calculations. BCS calculations with blocking have been used in support of configuration assignment of four- and six-quasiparticle structures. Totally, 19 rotational bands, one β-, one γ- and two octupole-vibrational bands, plus one intrinsic state have been identified with two-, four- and six-quasiparticle configurations. The K values of these bands range from 0 to 19. The K-forbidden transition rates are discussed on the basis of mixing between states with widely different K-values. The BBCS calculations predict a K^π=22⁻ isomer not identified experimentally in this nor in previous works.A search for specific intermediate states which could explain the transformation from K^π=9⁻ to 1⁺ during the astrophysical s- and r- processes was negative.     

Collective and intrinsic structures in 183W

The structure of ¹⁸³W has been studied by employing the ¹⁷⁶Yb(¹⁴C,α3n) reaction at 68 MeV. Five previously known rotational structure with one-quasiparticle configurations have been extended to higher spin states, and five new rotational bands with three- and five-quasiparticle configurations and a γ-vibration of a one-quasiparticle structure have been newly identified. In the ν7/2⁻[503] and ν11/2⁺[615] rotational structures, a signal of an admixture of an octupole-vibrational structure has been observed in their in-band B(M1)/B(E2) ratios and g_K factors. In the K^π=19⁻ rotational band, a Coriolis effect on the ν1/2⁻[510] neutron has been identified. In all, 17 K-forbidden transitions have been observed. Energies of intrinsic states below 4 MeV have been calculated based on the Blocked BCS theory, and they are used in support of the configuration assignments.     

Non-yrast states and shape co-existence in light Pt isotopes

Low-lying states in the even-even light platinum isotopes ¹⁷⁶Pt, ¹⁷⁸Pt, ¹⁸⁰Pt and ¹⁸²Pt have been populated using β⁺ /EC decay from parent gold nuclei, created in (HI,xn) reactions. State energies, spins and parities and γ-ray branching ratios were determined using γ-ray and electron spectroscopy. Whereas non-yrast states were observed in ¹⁷⁸Pt, ¹⁸⁰Pt and ¹⁸²Pt, none were seen in ¹⁷⁶Pt. The excitation energies of the observed states are analysed in terms of a band-mixing model, yielding the moments of inertia of the unperturbed bands. Branching ratios and ground-state-band quadrupole moments are calculated and compared with experimental values. The results indicate that the two lowest-lying 0⁺ states in each of the light Pt isotopes are formed from the mixing of two intrinsic states of different deformation, and other low-lying states can be described as admixtures of rotational states built on these intrinsic states, and on γ-vibrational states.     

New features in the systematics of low-spin states in170–178W

Excited states in the range of even tungsten isotopes, from¹⁷⁰W to¹⁷⁸W, populated in the β-decay of^170–178Re parents have been identified using γ-ray singles and coincidence techniques, utilising the high efficiency of a Compton-suppressed array, and conversion electron systems. Many new states at low excitation energies have been identified, complementing the level schemes previously established from in-beam studies. The new states include excited O⁺ states in¹⁷⁰W,¹⁷²W,¹⁷⁴W,¹⁷⁶W and¹⁷⁸W. A large body of data on decay properties, spins and parities, and relative E2 and E0 matrix elements has been obtained. The properties of theK ^π=0⁺ (quasi-β) bands are compared with similar bands observed in light osmium, platinum and mercury isotopes, which have been attributed to shape coexistence.     

High-spin yrast and non-yrast bands in 176Os, 178Os and 180Os

High-spin yrast and non-yrast states have been identified in ¹⁷⁶Os, ¹⁷⁸Os and ¹⁸⁰Os using (¹⁶O, xn) reactions, and γ-ray techniques. Band crossing anomalies are observed in each of the positive-parity yrast bands. The magnitude of these anomalies decreases with decreasing neutron number, an effect attributed to the change in the moment of inertia of the ground state rotational bands. A 23 ns isomer, predominantly K^π = 7^?, is identified at 1930 keV in ¹⁸⁰Os. The configuration of this isomer is discussed on the basis of the properties of its rotational band. Negative parity, odd and even spin, sideband sequences are observed in each isotope. Their relationship to rotation-aligned octupole and 2-quasiparticle bands is discussed from their excitation energies, band spacings, and decay properties. Detailed calculations for Coriolis mixed bands are carried out for the likely 2-quasiproton and 2-quasineutron configurations. An anomaly observed at spin 17 in the odd-spin negative-parity sequence in ¹⁸⁰Os is attributed to a band crossing with a fourquasiparticle configuration.     

High-spin states of 26Mg populated in the 12C(18O, α) reaction

The structure of ²⁶Mg has been investigated by means of the ¹²C(¹⁸O, α) reaction. Several previously unknown states were populated between excitation energies of 0 to 16 MeV. Excitation functions were measured for 126 states for bombarding energies between 43.2 and 45.9 MeV in 300 keV steps at a lab angle of 7°. The experimental energy averaged differential cross sections were compared with statistical model calculations and good agreement was obtained for the states whose spins and parities were previously established. The statistical model calculations were used to suggest the spins and parities for the rest of the states. In particular, candidates for 6⁺ and 8⁺ states were interpreted as members of three rotational bands in ²⁶Mg: the ground-state band, the K = 2⁺ band based on the 2.938 MeV 2⁺ state, and a K = 0⁺ band based on the 3.588 MeV 0⁺ state. Back bending of the yrast band is observed and it is suggested that it may be due to band crossing of the ground-state and first excited K = 0⁺ bands.     

Identification of Rotational Band in Doubly Odd 170Ta

High spin states in ¹⁷⁰Ta have been studied via ¹⁵⁹Tb(¹⁶O,5nγ)¹⁷⁰Ta reaction through excitation functions, K X-γ and γ-γ-t coincidence measurements. Three rotational bands have been identified among which one coupled band and an unfavored δI=2 E2 transition sequence are newly found in this work. The possible quasiparticle configurations of these bands are discussed. Received: 7 November 1997     

Gamma deexcitation of the 180m Ta isomer

Vibrational states built on the K ^π = 9^? isomer and on the ground state (K ^π = 1⁺) in ¹⁸⁰Ta are calculated within the quasiparticle-phonon nuclear model using the ¹⁷⁸Hf nucleus as a core. A procedure for calculating the rates of K-allowed γ-ray transitions from vibrational states built on the isomer to those built on the ground state is presented. The probabilities of two-step processes consisting of a dipole excitation of the isomer and successive E1 and E2 transitions from them to vibrational states built on the ground state of the ¹⁸⁰Ta nucleus are calculated. Two-step transitions from the isomer to vibrational states below 2.7 MeV and to the vibrational states built on the ground state appear to be very weak. There are many E1 transitions from the vibrational states built on the isomer to the vibrational states built on the ground state. They are weak and cannot be responsible for the strong deexcitation of ^180m Ta in the relevant (γ, γ′) reaction. A decisive role is played by collective E2 transitions from dipole excitations in several excitation energy intervals ranging between 2.7 and 4.0 MeV. These highly intense K-allowed two-step γ-ray transitions can be responsible for the strong deexcitation of the ^180m Ta state in the (γ, γ′) reactions.     

Multi-quasiparticle isomers and rotational bands in 178W

The high spin structure of the nucleus ¹⁷⁸W has been studied following the ¹⁷⁰Er(¹³C,5n) reaction. Many previously unidentified rotational bands are seen based on high-K, 2-, 4-, 6- and 8-quasiparticle structures, some of which are isomeric. The excitation energies of the multi-quasiparticle bandheads are compared with BCS calculations, including residual interactions. The bands show substantial increases in moments-of-inertia with increasing quasiparticle number. These are examined in terms of pairing blocking. The effect of blocked pairing is also taken into account in the calculation of g-factors, which supports the configuration assignments. The K^π = 25⁺, 8-quasiparticle band forms the yrast line from its bandhead upwards. This bandhead is a 220 ns isomer whose decay is strongly hindered, compared to the decay of the four- and six-quasiparticle structures.     

Rotational bands in 181Ta

High-spin states in ¹⁸¹Ta have been studied via the ¹⁷⁶Yb(¹¹B,α2n) reaction at 52 MeV using the PEX array and at 57 MeV using the NORDBALL array, with α-particle detection. The previously known, K^π=(7/2)⁺ ground state band and K^π=(9/2)⁻ band have been extended to spins (29/2)⁺ and (31/2)⁻, respectively. Two new one-quasiparticle bands, the K^π=(5/2)⁺ band built on the known (5/2)⁺ isomer and a K^π=((1/2)⁻) band have been observed. Two other rotational bands with three-quasiparticle structure, K^π=(15/2)⁻ and ((19/2)⁺ with π(7/2)[404]ν²(1/2)[510](9/2)[624] and π(9/2)[514]ν²(1/2)[510](9/2)[624] configurations, respectively, have been newly observed. The half-life of the K^π=((19/2)⁺) bandhead which decays to the head of the (15/2)⁻ band has been measured to be 140(36) ns. However, transitions from the ((19/2)⁺) state to the (15/2)⁻ band have not been observed. Received: 26 August 1998     

The ν1 and ν3 bands of 16O3: Line positions and intensities

Using 0.005 cm⁻¹ resolution Fourier transform spectra of samples of ozone, the ν₁ and ν₃ bands of ¹⁶O₃ have been reanalyzed to obtain accurate line positions and an extended set of upper state rotational levels (J up to 69, K_a up to 20). Combined with the available microwave data, these upper state rotational levels were satisfactorily fitted using a Hamiltonian which takes explicitly into account the strong Coriolis interaction affecting the rotational levels of these two interacting states. In addition, 350 relative line intensities were measured from which the rotational expansions of the transition moment operators for the ν₁ and ν₃ states have been deduced. Finally, a complete listing of line positions, intensities, and lower state energies of the ν₁ and ν₃ bands of ¹⁶O₃ has been generated.     

Isomeric states and rotational structure in the doubly-odd nucleus176Ta

The doubly-odd nucleus¹⁷⁶Ta is investigated by means of in-beamγ-ray spectroscopy techniques using the reactions (α, 3n), (d, 2n) and (p, n). Life-time measurements in thens-region yield low-lying isomeric states withT _1/2=13±1 ns and 30.5±1 ns, while measurements in the ms-region show the existence of a 1.1±0.1 ms isomeric state. A rotational sequence, withK=5 or 6 for the band-head, is also observed.     

The decay of174Ta

Levels in¹⁷⁴Hf excited in the decay of¹⁷⁴Ta have been studied. Measurements of gamma-rays, conversion electrons and gamma-gamma-time coincidences were performed. The ground state band, the beta-vibrational band, the gamma-vibrational band with its head at 1226.81 keV, aK=3⁺ band at 1303.42 keV and aK=2^? octupole band at 1308.67 keV were observed. Several 2⁺ levels withK=0 are excited. The mainβ ⁺-branches proceed through allowed or first-forbidden transitions to the 2⁺ and 4⁺ levels of the ground state band. The character of theI ^π=3⁽⁺⁾ ground state of¹⁷⁴Ta is discussed.     

New rotational bands in 174Ta

Three new bands in ¹⁷⁴Ta have been identified by using the ¹⁶⁰Gd(¹⁹F,5n) reaction at beam energies of 87 MeV and 96 MeV. Nilsson configurations are assigned to these bands. In the 9/2⁻[514]_p+5/2⁻[512]_n band, the AB neutron crossing occurs at a rotational frequency of 0.30 MeV. This is indicative of the disappearance of the evidence for a reduction in neutron pair correlations. Received: 30 March 1998     

Excited states of 176Hf

The properties of the excited levels of the even-even deformed nucleus ¹⁷⁶Hf are analyzed on the basis of available experimental data on ¹⁷⁶Ta decay. Thirty-nine new states are included in the energy-level scheme of the ¹⁷⁶Hf nucleus. The deexcitation of a number of known levels is supplemented with new transitions. New levels are included in three rotational bands, and the K _i =0 ₄ ⁺ band is identified. The 2470.95-keV level is considered as a two-phonon quadrupole-octupole state. A strong interplay of states belonging to different bands is indicated. The Coriolis interaction is calculated for pairs of K ^π = 0^? and 1^?, 0⁺ and 2⁺, and 2⁺ and 3⁺ bands. The interaction parameters are found. It is shown that the sets of positive-and negative-parity states are connected by El transitions characterized by large hindrance factors.     

Calculations of electric quadrupole moments and charge radii for high-K isomers

Configuration-constrained potential-energy-surface calculations are performed to investigate high-K isomers in ⁹⁷Y, ¹³⁰Ba, ¹⁷⁶Yb, ¹⁷⁷Lu, and ¹⁷⁸Hf that were observed to have increased electric quadrupole moments but decreased charge radii relative to the states on which they are built. Taking into account the effects of deformation change and unpaired protons, our calculations can reproduce the enhancement of electric quadrupole moments for the isomers in ⁹⁷Y, ¹³⁰Ba, ¹⁷⁶Yb, ¹⁷⁷Lu and the K ^π = 8^? isomer in ¹⁷⁸Hf, and can reproduce the reduction of charge radii for the K ^π = 27/2^? isomer in ⁹⁷Y and the K ^π = 16⁺ isomer in ¹⁷⁸Hf.     

Collective and two-quasiparticle states in 158Gd observed through study of radiative neutron capture in 157Gd

The level structure of ¹⁵⁸Gd has been studied using the prompt γ-rays and conversion electrons emitted following neutron capture in ¹⁵⁷Gd. The γ-ray energy and intensity measurements were made using both Ge(Li) detectors and a curved-crystal spectrometer. Conversion-electron energy and intensity measurements were made using two separate magnetic spectrometers: one to measure the primary electron spectrum and the other to measure the lower energy secondary electron spectrum. Some γ-γ coincidence measurements were also made among the secondary γ-rays. From these data, a neutron separation energy of 7937.1 ± 0.5 keV has been determined for ¹⁵⁸Gd. A level scheme containing 59 excited states with energies < 2.25 MeV, for which de-excitation modes have been identified, is proposed for ¹⁵⁸Gd. Many of these states have been grouped into rotational bands. A total of thirteen excited rotational bands with band-head energies below 2.0 MeV are contained in the level scheme. Features of the proposed level scheme include: the K^π = 0^?, 1^? and 2^? octupole-vibrational bands with band-head energies of 1263, 977 and 1793 keV, respectively; the γ-vibrational band at 1187 keV; three excited K^π = 0⁺ bands with band-head energies of 1196, 1452 and 1743 keV; several two-quasiparticle bands with band-head energies in keV (and K^π assignments) of 1380 (4⁺), 1636 (4^?), 1847 (1⁺), 1856 (1^?), 1920 (4⁺) and 1930 (1⁺). An analysis of (d, p) reaction data is presented which permits definite two-quasiparticle configuration assignments to be made to most of these latter bands. Evidence is presented which suggests strong mixing of some two-neutron and two-proton bands. A phenomenological four-band mixing analysis is made of the energy and E2 transition-probability data for the ground-state band and the three lowest-lying excited collective positive-parity bands. Good agreement with experiment is obtained. A Coriolis-mixing analysis of the octupole bands has been carried out and good agreement with the data on level energies and E1 transition probabilities to the ground-state band has been achieved. Values of Z, the ratio of the E1 transition matrix element with ΔK = 1 to that with ΔK = 0, involving the octupole bands and the first four 0⁺ bands are derived. For three of these 0⁺ bands, absolute values of these matrix elements are deduced. An interesting alternation in the sign of Z is observed for these four 0⁺ bands.     

High-spin states and rotation-particle coupling in 179W

The ¹⁷⁸Hf(α, 3n)¹⁷⁹W and ¹⁸¹Ta(p, 3n)¹⁷⁹W reactions are used to populate rotational states in ¹⁷⁹W. Particular attention is paid to the strongly perturbed positive-parity bands. The rotational energies within these bands are successfully explained within the unified model with pairing and Coriolis interactions included if the theoretical Coriolis matrix elements are reduced. The wave functions are calculated from a fit to the experimental energies and the theoretical and experimental transition probabilities are compared. Rotational bands built on the $\text{7}\text{2}$^?[514], $\text{1}\text{2}$^?[521] and $\text{5}\text{2}$^?[512] intrinsic states are also observed.     

Rotational side bands in 160Dy

The ¹⁵⁸Gd(α, 2n)¹⁶⁰Dy reaction has been used to study rotational side bands in ¹⁶⁰Dy. Several negative-parity bands are observed, with several members of K^π = 1⁻, 2⁻ and 4⁻ bands and of a K^π = 8⁻ band only the bandhead. A pronounced odd-even staggering of moments of inertia is found for members of the K^π = 2⁻ band. Of the positive-parity bands the K^π = 2⁺ (γ) band, which is seen up to a possible spin of 12 and low-spin members of K^π = (0⁺), (S), and 4⁺ bands are observed. The mixing between most of the γ-band and S-band members is observed to be smaller than 2% and no evidence for possible anti-alignment of low-spin S-band members with rotation is found.