Activation cross sections and isomeric ratios in reactions induced by 14.5 MeV neutrons on152Sm,154Sm and178Hf

Cross sections for the reactions¹⁵²Sm(n, p)^152g,m1,m2 Pm,¹⁵⁴Sm(n, p)^154g,m Pm,¹⁷⁸Hf(n, p)^178m,g Lu,¹⁵⁴Sm(n, d)¹⁵³Pm and¹⁵²Sm(n, α)¹⁴⁹Nd were measured at 14.5 MeV neutron energy by the activation method. On the basis of these cross sections, the associated isomeric ratios in¹⁵⁴Pm,¹⁵²Pm,¹⁷⁸Lu and the comparison with the predictions of different compound and precompound models, conclusions are drawn about the role of the preequilibrium processes in 14.5 MeV neutron induced reactions. Calculations for equal angular momentum removal by equilibrium and preequilibrium emitted particles better reproduced the experimental isomeric ratios, than for higher angular momentum removal in the preequilibrium phase. The isomeric ratios may be used as a source of additional information about the spin of the isomeric states in¹⁵²Pm and¹⁵⁴Pm for which the spectroscopic information is uncertain.     

Decay of the 4.2-min152Pm into levels of152Sm

After bombardments of enriched¹⁵²Sm with 14-MeV neutrons, three isomers of¹²⁵Pm reaction, have been observed with half-lives of 4.2±0.2 min, 7.5±0.2 min and 15.0±1.0 min. Sources of pure 4.2-min¹⁵²Pm were obtained by separating the promethium from its parent 11-min¹⁵²Nd produced by thermal-neutron induced fission of²³⁵U. The beta and gamma radiations of the 4.2-min¹⁵²Pm have been investigated using semiconductor and scintillation spectrometers. Most of theγ-ray transitions could be placed in a level scheme for 152Sm. Especially interesting is a level at 1083 keV for which the assignmentI ^π=0⁺ is proposed. In a 4πβγ experiment, the ground state feeding of¹⁵²Sm in theβ ^?-decay of the 4.2-min¹⁵²Pm has been measured to be 61% of allβ-ray transitions. AQ _β-value of 3.4±0.2 MeV has been obtained.     

On-line nuclear orientation of the deformed neutron-deficient Eu,Sm and Pm isotopes

Low-temperature nuclear orientation measurements made on-line at the SERC Daresbury Laboratory on^142m Eu,^141m Sm, and¹⁴¹Pm, with known magnetic dipole moments, have yielded the magnitude of the hyperfine fields of these isotopes in an iron host lattice. Thus measurements for the isotopes^{139, 138}Eu,^139m Sm, and¹³⁸Pm yielded values for the respective magnetic moments. Limits on the thermal relaxation times of Eu and Sm isotopes in Fe were also deduced. The results for¹³⁸Eu appear to contradict the earlier πh_11/2⊗νh_11/2 ground-state configuration assignment.     

Energy levels of136Pm and136Nd via beta decay of136Sm and136Pm

¹³⁶Pm and¹³⁶Nd were studied using theβ decay of¹³⁶Sm and¹³⁶Pm. The radioactive nuclei were produced by the⁹²Mo (⁴⁸Ti,xpyn) and¹¹²Sn (²⁸Si,xpyn) reactions. The UNISOR isotope separator enabled mass identification. The previously unknown level scheme of¹³⁶Pm was constructed and the half-life of¹³⁶Sm was determined to be 47±2 s. Six new levels and thirteen newγ-ray transitions have been added to the level scheme of¹³⁶Nd.     

The (nth, α) reaction on 147Sm, 151, 153Eu and Yb isotopes

The (n, α) reaction has been studied using the highly pure thermal neutron beam from the 87m curved neutron guide at the Grenoble high flux reactor. The ¹⁴⁷Sm(n, α)¹⁴⁴Nd reaction showed up five lines corresponding to the ground and the first four excited states of the final nucleus. It is shown that ≈53 % of the 581 μb (n, α) cross section comes from the neutron capture by a bound level of the ¹⁴⁸Sm compound nucleus. The 8.7 ± 3 μb cross section of ¹⁵¹Eu(n, α)¹⁴⁸Pm seems to consist principally of at least two lines corresponding to the ground and the second excited states of ¹⁴⁸Pm. The ¹⁵³Eu(n, α)¹⁴⁹Pm cross section for thermal neutrons is ≦ 1 μb. The lower limits of (n, α) thermal neutron cross section values on ytterbium isotopes are ≈ 20 to 40 times lower than the published data.     

Qβ measurements of 158, 159Pm , 159, 161Sm , 160-165Eu , 163Gd and 166Tb using a total absorption BGO detector

Q _β values of the neutron-rich isotopes of ^160-165Eu and ¹⁶³Gd were measured for the first time using a total absorption bismuth germanate (BGO) detector, and previously obtained data on ^{158, 159}Pm , ^{159, 161}Sm and ¹⁶⁶Tb were re-analyzed. These radioactive sources were prepared by an on-line mass separator (Tokai-ISOL) following the ²³⁸U (p,f reaction. The deduced Q _β values are the following: 6085(80)keV for ¹⁵⁸Pm , 3805(65)keV for ¹⁵⁹Sm , 5460(140)keV for ¹⁵⁹Pm , 4705(60)keV for ¹⁶⁰Eu , 5065(130)keV for ¹⁶¹Sm , 3705(60)keV for ¹⁶¹Eu , 5575(60)keV for ¹⁶²Eu , 4690(70)keV for ¹⁶³Eu , 3170(70)keV for ¹⁶³Gd , 6430(70)keV for ¹⁶⁴Eu , 5800(120)keV for ¹⁶⁵Eu , and 4695(70)keV for ¹⁶⁶Tb . Moreover, the deduced mass excesses and two-neutron separation energies ( S _2n values) were compared with those of the atomic mass evaluations and theoretical predictions.     

Characterization of isomers of the nucleus154Pm

Consideration of the expected two-quasiparticle structures and their estimated band head energies, and the selection rules for beta transition rates for the¹⁵⁴Nd →¹⁵⁴Pm →¹⁵⁴Sm decays are used to deduce the configurations for the isomers and the low-spin structures in the neutron rich doubly odd nucleus ₆₁ ¹⁵⁴ Pm₉₃. The 2.68 m high spin isomer and the 1.73 m low spin isomer are respectively assigned the spin-parity 4⁺ and 1⁺ with the configuration {p:5/2⁻ [532↑] +n:3/2⁻ [521↑]} with the 2.68 m isomer lying lower in energy, and thus forming the¹⁵⁴Pm ground state. Two-quasiparticle character of the beta-connected states in¹⁵⁴Nd decay and¹⁵⁴Pm decay is discussed.     

Structure of140Pm from beta decay of140Sm

The structure of¹⁴⁰Pm is investigated through the beta decay of¹⁴⁰Sm, whose half-life is measured to be (14.7 ± 0.2) m. A level structure comprising 41 transitions among 17 excited states is constructed. Using the deduced ft values and measured internal conversion coefficients, spin-parity assignments to several states in¹⁴⁰Pm were made. From beta end-point measurement, the total decay energy is deduced to beQ _EC =3.4±0.3 MeV, which is compared with the predictions of several mass formulae. The systematics of the odd-Z, N=79 isotones are discussed.     

Comparison of cluster and shell model wave functions of deformed32S states

The 786 keV beta-286keV gamma angular correlation in the ground state decay of¹⁴⁹Pm is measured for the first time, using the conventional slow-fast scintillation assembly. Integral correlation results characterize the involved beta transition to be of first-forbidden non-unique type. The present results combined with the other experimental parameters, strongly support a 9/2^? spin-parity character to the 286 keV level in¹⁴⁹Sm. The energy independence of the reduced correlation coefficient as found in this work shows the validity ofξ-approximation for the 786 keV beta transition in¹⁴⁹Pm and is also consistent with the logft value and spectrum shape reported by earlier authors.     

Proton spectroscopic factors of Sm isotopes in the pairing-plus-quadrupole model

Proton spectroscopic factors have been calculated for the single-proton states in Sm isotopes with N = 84–92 by using the deformed quasiparticle wave functions obtained in the pairing-plus- quadrupole model. Comparison is given with the experimental data from the pick-up reactions (d, ³He) and (t, ⁴He) to the product nuclei ^145–153Pm. Effects of deformation on the spectroscopic factors are studied.     

The 1-(1.9 MeV β-)2+ transition in the decay of148Pm

The non-unique first-forbidden 1^?(1.9 MeVβ ^?)2⁺ transition in the decay of¹⁴⁸Pm is studied. The nuclear matrix elements are evaluated using for the ground state of the odd-odd¹⁴⁸Pm a phenomenological wave function derived in a previous work in the framework of the two-quasiparticle model and assuming that the first excited 2⁺ state in¹⁴⁸Sm can be described as the first quadrupole phonon state. This model provides nuclear matrix elements which are capable of describing experimental data like the spectrum shape factor, the longitudinal polarization of the electrons and a particular set ofβ-γ directional correlation coefficients, but it fails to interpret the large logft value of this transition. In addition, the validity of theξ-approximation is discussed.     

A first-principles study of B2 NiAl alloyed with rare earth element Pr, Pm, Sm, and Eu

The structural, elastic, and electronic properties of NiAl alloyed with rare earth elements Pr, Pm, Sm, and Eu are investigated by using density functional theory (DFT). The study suggests that Pr, Pm, Sm, and Eu are all tend to be substituted for Al site. Ni₈Al₇Pm possesses the largest ductility. Only the hardness and ductility of Ni₈Al₇Eu are enhanced simultaneously. The covalency strength of Ni-Al bond in Ni₈Al₇Pm is higher than that in Ni₈Al₇Eu. The covalency strength of Al-Al bond and that of Ni-Ni bond in Ni₈Al₇Eu are higher than that in Ni₈Al₇Pm. Ni-Pm bond and Ni-Eu bond are covalent, and the covalency strength of Ni-Pm bond is greater. Al-Pm bond and Al-Eu bond show great covalency strength and ionicity, respectively.     

(EC + β+) decay of 133Sm and 1.1 s isomer of 133Pr

The very neutron-deficient isotope ¹³³Sm was produced by irradiation of an enriched target of ⁹⁶Ru with ⁴⁰Ca and studied by using a helium-jet fast tape transport system in combination with X-γ and γ-γ coincidence measurements. A simple ( EC + β⁺) decay scheme of ¹³³Sm was proposed for the first time. As a by-product ¹³³Pr was produced simultaneously because of the ^98-102Ru content of the ruthenium target. The half-life of a 11/2^- low-lying isomeric state in ¹³³Pr was measured to be 1.1±0.2 s. Received: 22 March 2001 / Accepted: 18 July 2001     

Atomic masses of rare earth isotopes145Pm,145Sm and151Gd,derived from decay measurements of145Sm and151Gd

The comparison of experimental with calculated K-capture probabilities yielded the decay energies of¹⁴⁵Sm and¹⁵¹Gd,Q _EC=622(5) and 463(3) keV, respectively. Earlier discrepancies in the mass adjustment of these isotopes were removed and adjusted masses for¹⁴⁵Sm,¹⁴⁵Pm and¹⁵¹Gd derived. In the decay of¹⁵¹Gd five newγ-rays were found and the half-life remeasured to be 129(4) d.     

g-factor of the 91.5 keV state in 151Sm

The g-factor of the 91.5 keV state in ¹⁵¹Sm has been measured by the TDPAC method using γγ cascades following the β-decay of 28 h ¹⁵¹Pm. The result is g = ?0.21±0.01. The anisotropy of the angular correlation for the 232.2-25.7 keV cascade is measured to be A = +0.058±0.006. From this an M1/E2 mixing ratio of δ² = 0.008±0.002 for the 232.3 keV transition is concluded. No attenuation of the anisotropy of the angular correlation is observed for aqueous solution sources of SmC1 in excess of hydrochloric acid. Spin and parity assignments for excited states in ¹⁵¹Sm are presented.     

The decay of143Sm to levels in143Pm

The beta decay of¹⁴³Sm was reinvestigated with the aid of a Ge(Li) detector. Levels of¹⁴³Pm at 271.8, 1,056.5, 1,173.4, 1,342.1, 1,403.2, 1,514.9, 1,752.8, 1,816.3, 1,853.6, (2,000), 2,009.0, 2,080.5, 2,344, 2,443, 2,463, 2,906 and (3,054) keV were established. Logft values for all observed beta transitions have been calculated. Spin and parity assignments have been made from electron capture and positon disintegration considerations and gamma branches. The experimental level scheme of¹⁴³Pm is compared with the results of 1 and 3 q.p. calculations forN=82 nuclei.     

Exploring new mass regions with the ISOLTRAP spectrometer

First direct mass measurements on rare earth isotopes around ¹⁴⁶Gd have been performed with the Penning trap mass spectrometer ISOLTRAP at ISOLDE/CERN. More than 40 isotopes of the elements Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Dy and Ho have been measured with an accuracy of typically 1 × 10^-7. In the case of ¹⁴¹Sm isomeric and ground state (ΔE = 175 keV) were resolved. Since isobaric contaminations are present in the ISOLDE beam, these measurements on rare earth isotopes became only possible after the installation of a new cooler trap which acts an isobar separator. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

β-delayed proton decays and spin assignments for 133Sm and 149Yb

The proton-rich isotope ¹³³Sm was produced via the fusion evaporation reaction ⁴⁰Ca + ⁹⁶Ru. Its β-delayed proton decay was studied by p-γ coincidence in combination with a He-jet tape transport system, and half-lives, proton energy spectra, γ-transitions following the proton emission, as well as β-delayed proton branching ratios to the low-lying states in the grand-daughter nucleus were determined. Comparing the observed β-delayed proton branching ratios with statistical model calculations, the best agreement is found assuming that only one level with the spin of 3/2 in ¹³³Sm decays or two levels with the spins of 1/2 and 5/2 decay with similar half-lives. The configuration-constrained nuclear potential energy surfaces of ¹³³Sm were calculated using the Woods-Saxon-Strutinsky method, which suggests a 1/2^- ground state and a 5/2⁺ isomer with an excitation energy of 120keV. Therefore, the simple (EC+β⁺) decay scheme of ¹³³Sm in Eur. Phys. J. A 11, 277 (2001) has been revised. In addition, our previous experimental data on the β-delayed proton decay of ¹⁴⁹Yb reported in Eur. Phys. J. A 12, 1 (2001) was also analyzed using the same method. The spin-parity of ¹⁴⁹Yb is suggested to be 1/2^-.     

Spin assignments from the 142Nd(7Li, 6He)143Pm and 144Sm(7Li, 6He)145Eu reactions at 52 MeV

Angular distributions have been measured for transitions to low-lying states in ¹⁴³Pm and ¹⁴⁵Eu populated by the ¹⁴²Nd(⁷Li, ⁶He)¹⁴³ and the ¹⁴⁴Sm(⁷Li, ⁶He)¹⁴⁵Eu reactions at $\text{E(}{}^7\text{Li}\text{) = 52}$ MeV. Elastic scattering of ⁷Li at 52 MeV on ¹⁴²Nd and ¹⁴⁴Sm, and ⁶Li at 46 MeV on ¹⁴²Nd and at 45 MeV on ¹⁴⁴Sm, were measured. Optical-model parameters extracted from fits to the scattering data were used in a finite-range DWBA analysis of the angular distributions for levels below 1.40 MeV excitation energy in ¹⁴³Pm and 1.84 MeV in ¹⁴⁵Eu. The reaction cross sections forward of 6° c.m. allow unambiguous distinction to be made between 2d_{$\text{5}\text{2}$} and 2d_{$\text{3}\text{2}$} final states. Final-state spins have been assigned to d-states in ¹⁴³Pm at 1.40 MeV($\text{3}\text{2}$⁺)and in ¹⁴⁵Eu at 1.042 MeV ($\text{3}\text{2}$⁺). Existing assignments to other levels in both residual nuclei have been confirmed.     

Proton states in theN = 86 nuclei147Pm and149Eu populated in the (3He,d), (α,t) and (t, α) reactions

The (³He,d) and (α, t) reactions on targets of¹⁴⁶Nd and¹⁴⁸Sm have been studied, using beams of 24 MeV³He and 27 MeV⁴He from the McMaster University tandem van de Graaff accelerator. Also the (t, α) reaction on a target of¹⁴⁸Sm has been studied, using 17 MeV tritons from the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory tandem accelerator. The reaction products were analyzed with magnetic spectrographs. Information on thel-values was obtained from (³He,d) angular distributions and from ratios of (α,t) and (³He,d) cross sections. In each nucleus a severe fragmentation of the shell-model strength is found. In particular a total of 13(7)l=2 transitions and 6(6)l=0 transitions have been identified in¹⁴⁷Pm(¹⁴⁹Eu). The results are analyzed in terms of the spherical shell model, which accounts fairly well for the summed spectroscopic strengths. However, with the existence of the (t, α) data a more detailed investigation of the emptiness of individual levels observed in¹⁴⁷Pm gives some indication that a deformed scheme might be more successful in describing these nuclei.