The level scheme of 135Pr: Prolate deformation of the 112− isomer

The level scheme of ¹³⁵Pr has been investigated by means of off-beam γ-ray and conversion electron measurements as well as by methods of in-beam γ-spectroscopy. We measured γ-ray and conversion electron singles spectra, off-beam and in-beam γγ coincidences and γ-angular distributions. From the experimental data a detailed scheme of 22 excited levels for ¹³⁵Pr has been constructed. In addition to members of the decoupled band based on the $\text{11}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$ state six further negative parity states were identified. These states are strongly populated in the β-decay of a $\text{9}\text{2}$ isomer in the parent nucleus ¹³⁵Nd. A comparison of all the negative parity states with predictions of the alignment coupling model showed a nearly quantitative agreement, if softness of the core is taken into account. In this case, a prolate deformation with a deformation parameter β ≈ 0.13 was obtained for the $\text{11}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$ isomer in ¹³⁵Pr.     

Conversion-electron spectroscopy in the decay of superdeformed 135Nd

We have investigated the structure of the superdeformed band in ¹³⁵Nd using conversion-electron spectroscopy. The transitions within the superdeformed band show conversion coefficients which are consistent with an E2 multipolarity. From the conversion coefficients of transitions linking this band with known low-lying states its positive parity was established. Hence, a direct determination of the parity of a high-spin superdeformed band could be performed for the first time.     

In-beam study of 136Ce and 138Nd isotones with N = 78

Excited states in ¹³⁶Ce and ¹³⁸Nd have been investigated by means of in-beam spectroscopy with the (p, 4nγ) reaction. Excitation functions and angular distributions of γ-rays were measured with a Ge(Li) detector, and conversion electron spectra were taken with a magnetic spectrometer. Time-dependent spectra of γ-rays revealed delayed components with half-lives of 2.2μsec and 0.41μsec in ¹³⁶Ce and ¹³⁸Nd, respectively. Most of the excited states are classified as belonging to the quasi-ground-state rotational band and the quasi-gamma band. Negative parity 5^? and 7^? states were also observed.     

A setup for the search for E0 decay of superdeformed 236U

Transitions between nuclear states with a large deformation difference may have large transition probabilities for E0 decay. Such an E0 decay has been found in the decay of the superdeformed ²³⁸U fission isomer back into the normal-deformed states [1]. However, a search for the E0 back-decay in ²³⁶U showed no result [2]. A setup has been developed to search for conversion electrons in this decay.     

High-spin two-quasiparticle bands in76Br

Excited states of the doubly-odd nucleus V6Br have been studied with in-beam γ-ray spectroscopy techniques. In addition to the positive parity band that has been extended up to I=(13) a I^π=4^? isomer (T_1/2=0.5±0.2 ns) and two bands of negative parity have been identified. The bands are discussed in terms of two-quasiparticle configurations. For the band built on the 4_? isomer the configuration πg9/2?νf5/2 or p3/2 is proposed.     

A Kπ = 4− rotational band in 48V

From γ-ray linear polarization measurements, γ-ray angular distributions and γ?γ coincidences, the following levels were identified in ⁴⁸V (E_Xin keV): 4^? at 1099, (5^?) at 1685, (6^?) at 2397, (7^?) at 3171 and (8^?) at 3976. This sequence of states is interpreted as a K^π = 4^? rotational band.     

Coulomb excitation of the 242m Am isomer

The ^242m Am isomer, a well-known candidate for photodepopulation research, has been studied in this first ever Coulomb excitation of a nearly pure (≈98%) isomer target. Thirty new states, including a new rotational band built on a K ^π = 6^? state, have been identified. Strong K-mixing results in nearly equal populations of the K ^π=5^? and 6^? states. Newly identified states have been assigned to the K ^π=3^? rotational band, the lowest states of which are known to decay into the ground-state band. Implications regarding K-mixing and Coulomb excitation paths to the ground state are discussed.     

γ-Rays draining the superdeformed band in152Dy

Further analysis of earlier¹⁵²Gd(α,4n) in-beam data revealed several previously unplaced¹⁵²Dy γ-rays feeding the oblate yrast states, among them γ-transitions emitted in decay of the superdeformed band. We can also weakly detect the lowest two members of the superdeformed cascade, but our data were not quite good enough to make a firm connection to them.     

A superdeformed band in131Ce

A rotational band of 16γ-rays has been found in¹³¹Ce with a high moment of inertia indicating a deformation ε₂～0.38 and extending to spin ～40?. Its intensity is ～～5% of the total in¹³¹Ce, confirming a difference in the intensity systematics for superdeformed states in Ce nuclei compared with Nd.     

A neutron decoupled from a rotating odd core in 114Sb and 116Sb

The ^{113, 115}In(α, 3nγ)^{114, 116}Sb reactions have been studied using γ-ray spectroscopic techniques. The experiments included γ-ray excitation function, γ-γ coincidence, lifetime, γ-ray angular distribution and conversion electron measurements. A ΔJ = 1 rotational band has been observed in either of the ^{114, 116}Sb final nuclei. Energy spacings and electromagnetic properties of the band show strong resemblances with those of rotational bands in the adjacent odd-mass Sb nuclei. In addition two-quasiparticle and two-quasiparticle core coupled states have been observed in these nuclei. One isomer was identified in ¹¹⁶Sb, i.e. a J^π = 11⁺ state at 1889 keV ($\text{T}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext><mtext>\; =\; 4.0\pm 0.1\; </mtext><mtext>ns</mtext>}}$). A simple model is proposed which explains the ΔJ = 1 band in terms of rotational alignment of the $\text{h}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>11</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ neutron with the deformed rotating odd-A core.     

Time distribution of γ-rays from spontaneous fission of 252Cf at short times

The gross time distribution of γ-rays from spontaneous fission of ²⁵²Cf has been measured in the time range 10^?14?10^?10 s after fission for γ-ray energies greater than 0.15 MeV. The measurements have been made by a new method based upon the solid angle aberration. From the measured correlation between half-lives and γ-ray transition energies it is concluded that the transitions are predominantly E2, single-particle transitions at high energies, and mostly vibrational and rotational transitions at lower energies. Some contribution of E1 transitions and M1-E2 mixtures cannot be excluded, however. It was found that about 30% ofthe γ-rays emitted within 12 ns with energies greater than 0.10 MeV, have half-lives shorter than 1 ps and about 52 % half-lives between 1 and 100 ps. The relative yield of γ -rays and γ-ray energy in the time range 10^?14 to 1.2 × 10^?7 s ater fission is given.     

Evidence for intruder states in111Rh

Levels in¹¹¹Rh have been investigated via the γ -rays following the β^?-decay of 2.1 s¹¹¹Ru. The Ru activity was produced in the fission of²⁴⁹Cf and separated chemically from the fission product mixture. The emitted γ-rays were studied by γ singles and γ(t) coincidence measurements. Evidence for intruder states in¹¹¹Rh has been obtained. Their properties are discussed and compared with those in the lighter Rh isotopes.     

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.     

Conversion--electron gamma--ray coincidence spectroscopy of superdeformed 135Nd

Three mini-orange conversion–electron spectrometers and four Euroball Ge Cluster detectors have been used for γ–e^- coincidence spectroscopy of superdeformed ¹³⁵Nd. Transitions within the superdeformed band are shown to have the expected E2 multipolarity. The 766.5–keV transition which links the band to a positive-parity state has a conversion coefficient consistent with M1 multipolarity. Consequently, positive parity is deduced for the superdeformed band. No evidence for E0 transitions was found. Received: 22 December 1997 / Revised version: 19 January 1998     

Angular distribution measurements of gamma-rays from the22Ne(p, γ)23Na reaction

Angular distribution measurements of gamma-rays from the²²Ne(p, γ)²³Na reaction on theE _p =897, 1006, 1091 and 1278 keV resonances have been made. Spin and parity assignments for several bound states are presented together with multipole mixing ratios for transitions from resonance and bound states. The level at 6617 keV (7/2⁺) is proposed to be a member of the rotational band based on the Nilsson orbit 5(K ^π=5/2⁺).     

The Giant Dipole Resonance in the superdeformed143Eu nucleus

The γ-decay of the Giant Dipole Resonance (GDR) built on excited nuclear states has been measured for the nucleus¹⁴³Eu. The reaction¹¹⁰Pd(³⁷Cl, 4n)¹⁴³Eu at a beam energy of 165 MeV has been employed. This experiment aimed at searching the γ-decay of the GDR built on the superdeformed¹⁴³Eu states, populated at high spins. High-energy γ-rays were detected in 8 large BaF₂ scintillators in coincidence with discrete transitions measured with the NORDBALL array (in the configuration consisting of 17 HPGe detectors and a 2π multiplicity filter). The spectrum of high-energy γ-rays gated by low-energy transitions between states fed by the superdeformed states shows some excess of yield in the 7–10 MeV region with respect to that gated by transitions between states not populated by the superdeformed states. This excess should be due to the γ-decay of the the giant dipole oscillation along the superdeformed axis of the nucleus that is expected to have a frequency corresponding to ≈9–10 MeV (low-energy component of the GDR strength function). The measured excess, in spite of the large error bars, is found to be of the same order as predicted statistical model values.     

Levels in 109Rh

The levels in ¹⁰⁹Rh have been investigated via the γ-rays following the β⁻ decay of 34.5 s ¹⁰⁹Ru. The ruthenium activity was produced in the thermal neutron-induced fission of ¹⁴⁹Cf and separated chemically from the fission product mixture with the on-line centrifuge system SISAK. The emitted γ-rays were studied by γ singles and γγ(t) coincidence measurements. In addition, the ¹¹⁰Pd(d, ³He) reaction was investigated at E_d = 50 MeV to study the proton-hole states in ¹⁰⁹Rh. From the comparison of the measured angular distributions with DWBA calculations l-transfers and spectroscopic factors were deduced. The level scheme of ¹⁰⁹Rh that was obtained is discussed and compared with neighbouring nuclei and with recent calculations in the framework of the interacting bosonfermion model (IBFM-1). An interpretation of the observed candidates for intruder states as a rotational band built upon the [431] Nilsson configuration is proposed.     

Observation of superdeformed states in 88Mo

High-spin states in ⁸⁸Mo were studied using the Gammasphere germanium detector array in conjunction with the Microball CsI(Tl) charged-particle detector system. Three γ-ray cascades with dynamic moments of inertia showing similar characteristics to superdeformed rotational bands observed in the neighbouring A= 80 region have been identified and assigned to the nucleus ⁸⁸Mo. The quadrupole moment of the strongest band, deduced by the Residual Doppler Shift Method, corresponds to a quadrupole deformation of β₂≈ 0.6. This confirms the superdeformed nature of this band. The experimental data are interpreted in the framework of total routhian surface calculations. All three bands are assigned to two-quasi-particle proton configurations at superdeformed shape. Received: 20 May 1999 / Revised version: 25 August 1999     

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.     

Study of the Superdeformed State of 196Pb in the Relativistic Mean Field Theory

Based on the constrained relativistic mean field (RMF) theory, the superdeformed states of ¹⁹⁶Pb are systematically investigated with four different interactions, TMA, PK1, NL3 and NL-SH. The potential surface, the quadruple deformation of ground and superdeformed states, and the excitation energies of superdeformed states are calculated. The results show that the shape of ¹⁹⁶Pb is oblate for the ground state with deformation β₂≈－0.15, and prolate for the superdeformed states with deformation β₂≈0.60. The calculated excitation energy and the depth of the potential well of the superdeformed state are approximately equal to 4.5MeV and 1.6MeV, respectively. These results are in good agreement with the current experimental data. It indicates that RMF theory can well describe the energy of the band head of superdeformed rotational band in ¹⁹⁶Pb.