In-beam γ-ray spectroscopy of <Superscript>190</Superscript>Po: First observation of a low-lying prolate band in Po isotopes

Gamma rays from excited states of ¹⁹⁰Po have been observed using the Jurosphere Ge-detector array coupled to the RITU gas-filled separator. They were associated with a collective band which from spin 4 onwards resembles the prolate rotational bands known in the isotones ¹⁸⁸Pb and ¹⁸⁶Hg. This indicates that in ¹⁹⁰Po the prolate configuration becomes yrast above I = 2. The experimental results are interpreted in a two-band mixing calculation and are in agreement with α-decay data and potential energy surface calculations. Received: 10 January 2003 / Accepted: 19 February 2003 / Published online: 7 May 2003     

γ-ray spectroscopy of excited states in 61 30Zn31

The ⁶¹ ₃₀Zn₃₁ isotope has been produced at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the fusion-evaporation reaction ⁴⁰Ca(²⁴Mg, 2pn)⁶¹Zn at 104MeV. The experimental set-up allowed γ-rays to be detected in the CLARION Ge detector array in coincidence with the detection of recoiling nuclei in the focal plane at the end of the recoil mass spectrometer. This provides a unique identification of γ-rays belonging to ⁶¹Zn. The excited states have been explored by means of recoil- γγ coincidences, and the resulting decay scheme comprises almost 70 transitions. The data reveal numerous non-yrast states and suggest a revised spin and parity assignment for a previously observed superdeformed band. The resulting decay scheme is compared to predictions from different sets of large-scale shell model calculations.     

Suppression of band crossing in the neutron-rich nuclei 172, 173Yb due to the absence of a static pair field

High-spin states in the neutron-rich nuclei ^172,173Yb have been populated in a ¹⁷⁰Er(⁷Li,(p,d,t)xn) incomplete-fusion reaction and the emitted γ-radiation was detected with the GASP array. The signature partners of the 7/2⁺[633] rotational band of the odd-N ¹⁷³Yb isotope have been newly established and were observed up to spin values of (45/2⁺) and (43/2⁺), respectively. The ground-state band of the even-even nucleus ¹⁷²Yb has been observed up to a spin value of (22⁺). No band crossings were found in these bands. To explain this observation, it is proposed that the static pair field is absent, considering that the neutron odd-even mass differences reach for these nuclei very small values and that the band crossing is absent in cranked shell modell calculations without pairing. The results indicate, however, that strong dynamic correlations are still present.     

Gamma-ray spectroscopy of 192–195Po

Prompt and delayed γ-rays have been observed from very neutron deficient ^192–195Po nuclei by using the recoil-decay tagging (RDT) and recoil gating techniques. The yrast levels up to the (10⁺) state in the ¹⁹²Po were identified for the first time. Comprehensive data for ¹⁹⁴Po rendered it possible to extend the yrast line and to observe several positive and negative parity non-yrast states. In the odd-mass isotopes ¹⁹³Po and ¹⁹⁵Po, favoured and unfavoured states on top of the 13/2⁺ state have been identified. The results are discussed within the simple vibrator and rotor pictures as well as in the framework of coexisting spherical and deformed-intruder structures. Received: 5 July 1999 / Revised version: 7 September 1999     

Spectroscopy of 112Pd using heavy-ion-induced fission

High-spin states in ¹¹²Pd were studied using prompt γ-ray spectroscopy with Gammasphere following heavy-ion-induced fission in the reaction ¹⁸O + ²⁰⁸Pb at 91 MeV. A new 8⁺ level at 2638 keV was discovered with transitions connecting it to the yrast band and the quasi-gamma band. The three, now established, closely spaced 8⁺ states indicate a mixing between the ground-state band, s-band, and quasi-gamma band. Several high-spin structures with likely negative parity have been extended to higher spin and it is proposed that they are based on the νh _11/2(g _7/2 d _5/2) and νh _11/2(s _1/2 d _3/2) configurations. Received: 28 November 2000 / Accepted: 8 February 2001     

Rotational structures in the 125Cs nucleus

The collective band structures of the ¹²⁵Cs nucleus have been investigated by in-beam γ-ray spectroscopic techniques following the ¹¹⁰Pd ( ¹⁹F, 4n) reaction at 75MeV. The previously known level scheme, with rotational bands built on πg_7/2, πg_9/2 and πh_11/2 orbitals, has been extended and evolves into bands involving rotationally aligned ν(h_11/2)² and π(h_11/2)² quasiparticles. A strongly coupled band has been reassigned a high-K πh_11/2 ⊗ νg_7/2 ⊗ νh_11/2 three-quasiparticle configuration and a new side band likely to be its chiral partner has been identified. Configurations assigned to various bands are discussed in the framework of Principal/Tilted Axis Cranking (PAC/TAC) model calculations.     

Rotational bands in the near-drip-line nucleus 128Nd

The even-even nucleus ¹²⁸Nd was studied via in-beam γ-ray spectroscopy using the ⁴⁰Ca + ⁸²Mo reaction at 190 MeV. Two new bands were observed besides the yrast one, that has been extended up to spin 34⁺. Configurations were assigned to the three bands by analysing their rotational properties and by comparison with the neighboring even-even nuclei. Received: 18 July 2001 / Accepted: 25 October 2001     

High-spin spectroscopy of 63 31Ga32 and 65 31Ga34

High-spin states in the nuclei ⁶³Ga and ⁶⁵Ga were studied following the reaction ³²S + ⁴⁰Ca at a reaction energy of 125 MeV and using the GASP γ-ray spectrometer in combination with the ISIS charged-particle detector system. In addition to low-lying negative-parity states with single-particle character, rotational-like cascades built on the 9/2⁺ and 19/2^- states have been observed in both nuclei. Sidebands with negative parity in ⁶³Ga and positive parity in ⁶⁵Ga could be established. The experimental results are compared with Total Routhian Surface calculations which describe the nuclei as moderately deformed (β₂≈ 0.25) and γ soft at low rotational frequencies. The highest experimentally observed positive-parity state in ⁶⁵Ga (41/2⁺) is in good agreement with the calculated crossing of the collective band with a non-collective one terminating at this spin. Received: 20 December 2000 / Accepted: 2 May 2001     

Level structure of 99Rh at high spins

High spins states in ⁹⁹Rh were populated via the ⁶⁶Zn(³⁷Cl, 2p2n)⁹⁹Rh reaction at an incident beam energy of 130 MeV. Seventeen new transitions have been observed in the present study and the level scheme has now been extended up to a spin of J∼ 25ħ and an excitation energy of about E _x∼ 10 MeV. The observation of a positive parity E2 cascade based on the 9/2⁺ isomeric level is suggestive of collective behaviour in this nucleus up to high spins. Spherical shell model (within restricted model space) and Cranked shell model calculations were performed to obtain an insight into the observed level structure. The new collective band observed up to a spin of J∼ 25ħ is suggested to be based on (πg _9/2 ³) ⊗ (νg _7/2 ²) quasi-particle excitations. Received: 12 July 1999 / Revised version: 14 September 1999     

Inelastic excitation of <Superscript>187</Superscript>Re

Excited states in ¹⁸⁷Re populated by inelastic scattering of a 500 MeV ⁸²Se beam have been studied by means of in-beam γ-ray spectroscopy. Levels built on the 5/2⁺[402] and 9/2^-[514] one-quasiparticle states were measured up to I ^π = (21/2⁺) and (21/2^-), respectively. In addition, several new levels including an isomer at 1682 keV with a half-life of 114(23) ns have been found. Quasiparticle configurations of the levels and the transition rates are discussed. Received: 12 December 2002 / Accepted: 13 March 2003 / Published online: 13 May 2003     

Evidence for non-yrast states in 254No

Evidence for the decay of non-yrast states in ²⁵⁴No has been observed for the first time in an experiment performed at the University of Jyv?skyl?. The experiment employed the JUROGAM array of germanium detectors coupled to the gas-filled recoil separator RITU and the focal-plane spectrometer GREAT. The ground-state rotational band has been tentatively extended up to a spin of 24ℏ and has a smoothly behaving dynamical moment of inertia. It is speculated that the observation of high-energy γ-rays is due to the decay of a K = 3 band-head state.     

Low-spin states of doubly odd 182Au

Low-lying states in the odd-odd light gold isotope ¹⁸²Au have been populated by the β⁺/EC decay of the ¹⁸²Hg nuclei. Level energies, spin and parity values were determined using on-line γ-ray and e^- spectroscopy measurements. No isomeric state with a long half-life was found in the ¹⁸²Au nucleus. Spin and parity I ^π = 2⁺ can be very likely assigned to the ¹⁸²Au ground state. Received: 19 December 2000 / Accepted: 28 February 2001     

Spectroscopy of the neutron-deficient nuclide 171Pt

The decay out of the πh _11/2νh _11/2 band to the known low-energy levels in ¹³²La was studied using the reaction ¹⁰⁰Mo + ³⁶S at 160 MeV beam energy. The low-energy level scheme has been further developed and unambiguous spin and parity values have been assigned to the levels connecting the band to the 6^- isomeric state. According to the new level scheme the spins in the πh _11/2νh _11/2 band are shifted up by one unit compared to the earlier tentative experimental values. The obtained new spins prove the existence of signature inversion in ¹³²La and give further support to the spin assignments made for the πh _11/2νh _11/2 bands in the neighbouring odd-odd La isotopes from level energy systematics. Received: 7 May 2002 / Accepted: 31 October 2002 / Published online: 17 January 2003 RID="a" ID="a"e-mail: timar@atomki.hu RID="b" ID="b"Present address: Dipartimento di Matematica e Fisica, Università di Camerino, via Madonna delle Carceri, I-62032 Camerino, Italy. Communicated by J. ?yst?     

Shape coexistence near the double-midshell nucleus 111Rh

The decay of ¹¹¹Ru obtained from fast on-line chemical and mass separation has been investigated by β-γ-t and γ-γ coincidence techniques. Earlier spin and parity assignments of ¹¹¹Rh levels based on extrapolations of level systematics are confirmed. In particular, the K=1/2 intruder band is supported by the hindrance of E2 transitions between deformed and spherical states and enhancement of intraband E2 transitions. The excitation energies of intruder band members in Rh isotopes show a minimum at ¹⁰⁹Rh₆₄, with two neutrons less than ¹¹¹Rh at the N=66 midshell. This trend, which differs from the one in the higher-Z neighbouring elements Ag and Cd with minima at N=66, follows the evolution of deformation observed in the lower-Z elements Ru and Mo. Received: 25 June 1997 / Revised version: 10 September 1997     

Evolution of 2+ γ wave functions and gamma-stiffness in well-deformed rare-earth nuclei

The evolution of the structure of the gamma-vibrational band head 2⁺ _γ in well-deformed rare-earth nuclei is studied within the framework of RPA calculations using a quasiboson approximation based on the Nilsson model. The obtained evolution of the quasiparticle structure of the gamma-vibrational band head is shown to correlate well with the evolution of the same nuclei within the IBA symmetry triangle when described in the extended consistent-Q formalism. An empirical relation is presented that links the IBA parameter χ with the quasiparticle structure of the gamma-vibrational band head.     

High spin states and evidence for octupole correlations in 117Xe

High-spin states of ¹¹⁷Xe were investigated by means of in-beam γ-ray spectroscopic techniques via the reaction of ²⁸Si bombarding a ⁹²Mo target at beam energies of 100-120 MeV. A positive-parity rotational band decaying into the yrast negative-parity band by a series of enhanced E1 transitions was observed for the first time, implying the existence of octupole correlations in ¹¹⁷Xe. The B(E1) values increase with spin. The νd_5/2 band was firmly established up to 27/2⁺ and the B(M1)/B(E2) ratios were extracted from the relative intensities of γ-rays in this band. The previously known νh_11/2 and νg_7/2 [413]5/2⁺α=−1/2 bands were confirmed and extended up to high spins and two bandcrossings are observed in the latter at ħω=0.33 and 0.44 MeV, respectively. The bandcrossings and configurations of these bands are discussed by TRS and CSM calculations. In a γ–γ–t measurement, the 11/2⁻ and 7/2⁻ levels were identified as two isomers with half-lives of 59.4±20 ns and 16.5±8.0 ns, respectively. Received: 17 June 1997 / Revised version: 29 September 1997     

Observation of a πh9/2 ⊗ νi13/2 oblate band in 188Tl

Excited states in ¹⁸⁸Tl have been studied experimentally using the ¹⁵⁷Gd (³⁵Cl, 4n) reaction at a beam energy of 170MeV. A rotational band built on the πh _9/2 ⊗ νi _13/2 configuration with oblate deformation has been established for ¹⁸⁸Tl. Based on the structure systematics of the oblate πh _9/2 ⊗ νi _13/2 bands in the heavier odd-odd Tl nuclei, we have tentatively proposed spin values for the new band in ¹⁸⁸Tl. The πh _9/2 ⊗ νi _13/2 oblate band in ¹⁸⁸Tl shows low-spin signature inversion, and it can be interpreted qualitatively by the two-quasiparticle plus rotor model including a J-dependent p-n residual interaction.     

Search for decoupled bands in Odd-Odd 174Re

An effort has been made to search for the decoupled bands in odd-odd ¹⁷⁴Re via the ¹⁵⁹Tb(²⁰Ne,5n γ)¹⁷⁴Re reaction through excitation functions, K x-γ and γ-γ coincidence measurements. The doubly decoupled band and the semidecoupled one have been found in this work. Their quasiparticle configurations are proposed to be π1/2⁻[541] ⊗ν1/2⁻[521] and π1/2⁻[541] ⊗νi _13/2, respectively, according to the characteristics of band structures in this mass region. Another band with strongly coupled character is also reported. Received: 23 November 1999 / Revised version: 5 January 2000     

Beta-decay of the N = Z nucleus 72Kr

The beta-decay of the N = Z, even-even nucleus ⁷²Kr has been studied at the ISOLDE PSB facility at CERN. Measurements of βγ and βγγ coincidences have enriched the decay scheme of the daughter nucleus ⁷²Br with 27 new low spin levels. A more precise half-life of T _1/2 = 17.1(2) s has been determined. Strong feeding to the ⁷²Br ground state is established yielding an unambiguous J ^π = 1⁺ assignment for this state. Candidates for the ⁷²Br g.s. wave function are discussed in the framework of a self-consistent deformed mean-field calculation with SG2 Skyrme force and pairing correlations. A search for beta-delayed particle emission was made and an upper limit of 10^-6 for this decay branch obtained. The cumulated experimental level density of 1⁺ states has been fitted with the constant temperature formula. The comparison indicates that most likely all 1⁺ levels up to 1.2 MeV have been observed in this investigation. The corresponding nearest-neighbour level spacing does not follow a Poisson distribution. The Gamow-Teller strength distribution is compared, in terms of nuclear deformation, with different calculations made in the framework of the quasiparticle random phase approximation. Received: 7 February 2002 / Accepted: 31 October 2002 / Published online: 6 March 2003 RID="a" ID="a"e-mail: borge@pinar2.csic.es RID="b" ID="b"Present address: Centre d' Etudes Nucléaires de Bordeaux-Gradignan, Le Haut Vigneau, F-33175 Gradignan Cedex, France. RID="c" ID="c"Present address: University Mentouri, 25000 Constantine, Algeria. Communicated by J. ?yst?     

Stable collective triaxial rotation in <Superscript>77</Superscript>Kr

Based on the γ -spectroscopic analysis of G.N. Sylvan et al., configuration-dependent cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky calculations have been performed. They describe the nucleus ⁷⁷Kr globally in good agreement with the experimental findings and the expectations derived from single-particle orbitals in a deformed potential. Within these calculations, the unambiguous assignment of a configuration with three protons and five neutrons in the g _9/2 shell to the high-spin Yrast states of negative parity indicates that the nucleus ⁷⁷Kr has stable triaxial deformation and rotates about the intermediate axis. This not only disproves the recent interpretation of an occupation of the d _5/2 orbital being responsible for the strong deformation in this band, but also represents one of the first examples in this mass region for such a rotation.