Lifetime measurements and decay of superdeformed bands in Hg isotopes

The lifetimes of states in Superdeformed (SD) bands in ^192,194Hg have been measured using the Doppler shift attenuation method. Intrinsic quadrupole moments have been extracted for band 1 of ¹⁹²Hg and for bands 1, 2, and 3 of ¹⁹⁴Hg. It was found that the quadrupole moments for the “identical” SD bands in these nuclei are the same. In the same experiment, one-step transitions linking SD states to yrast and near yrast states for bands 1 and 3 of ¹⁹⁴Hg have been identified. From this observation, excitation energies, spins and probable parities have been assigned to SD states in these bands.     

Levels in 156Gd studied in the (n, γ) reaction

Levels up to 2.3 MeV in ¹⁵⁶Gd have been studied using the (n, γ) reaction. Energies and intensities of low-energy γ-rays and electrons emitted after thermal neutron capture have been measured with a curved-crystal spectrometer, Ge(Li) detectors and a magnetic electron spectrometer. High-energy (primary) γ-rays and electrons have been measured with Ge(Li) detectors and a magnetic spectrometer. The high-energy γ-ray spectrum has also been measured in thermal neutron capture in 2 keV resonance neutron capture. The neutron separation energy in ¹⁵⁶Gd was measured as S_n = 8535.8 ± 0.5 keV.About 600 transitions were observed of which ~50% could be placed in a level scheme containing more than 50 levels up to 2.3 MeV excitation energy. 42 of these levels were grouped into 15 excited bands. In addition to the β-band at 1050 keV we observe 0⁺ bands at 1168, 1715 and 1851 keV. Other positive-parity bands are: 1⁺ bands at 1966, 2027 and 2187 keV; 2⁺ bands at 1154 (γ-band) and 1828 keV; and 4⁺ bands at 1511 and 1861 keV. Negative-parity bands are observed at 1243 keV (1^?), 1366 keV (0^?), 1780 keV (2^?) and 2045 keV (4^?). Reduced E2 and E0 transition probabilities have been derived for many transitions. The ground band, the β- and γ-bands and the 0⁺ band at 1168 keV have been included in a phenomenological four-band mixing calculation, which reproduces well the experimental energies and E2 transition probabilities.The lowest three negative-parity (octupole) bands of which the 0^? and the 1^? bands are very strongly mixed, were included in a Coriolis-coupling analysis, which reproduces well the observed energies. The E1 transition probabilities to the ground band are also well reproduced, while those from the higher-lying 0⁺ bands to the octupole bands are not reproduced. Absolute and relative transition probabilities have been compared with predictions of the IBA model and the pairingplus-quadrupole model. Both models reproduce well the E2 transitions from the γ-band, while strong disagreements are found for the E2 transitions from the β-band. The IBA model predicts part of the decay features of the higher lying 2⁺₂, 4⁺₁ and 2^?₁ bands.     

Crossing of shears bands in 196Pb

High-spin states in 196Pb have been populated using the reaction ¹⁷⁰Er(³⁰Si,4n). The previously observed shears bands in this nucleus have been extended and some of their transitions have been reordered. They now form regular bands with band crossings. One of the bands splits into two pathways at high spin.     

High spin investigation in 193Pb with EUROGAM 2: coexistence of superdeformed and dipole bands

The nucleus ¹⁹³Pb was populated via the ¹⁶⁸Er(³⁰Si, 5n) reaction at a beam energy of 159 MeV and studied with the EUROGAM II spectrometer. Five new dipole ΔI = 1 cascades have been found. The ¹⁹³Pb dipole bands are discussed in terms of microscopic HF+BCS calculations. The proposed configurations are based on a high-K two-quasiproton excitation coupled to rotation aligned quasineutrons. Parallel to the dipole bands the six superdeformed bands have been discussed in the framework of microscopic mean-field calculations. The bands are interpreted as three pairs of signature partners based on quasineutron excitations. Cross-talk transitions linking two signature partner superdeformed bands have been observed and, for the first time in lead isotopes, a mean B(M1)/B(E2) ratio value of 0.15±0.04 μ _N ² /e^2b2 has been extracted.     

Co-existing coupling schemes at high spin in 166Hf

The nucleus ¹⁶⁶Hf has been populated by the reaction ⁹⁶Zr(⁷⁴Ge,4n) using a beam energy of 310MeV. γ-rays were detected with the EUROBALL III detector array. Fourteen new normal-deformed rotational bands, of which six form coupled pairs, have been observed in ¹⁶⁶Hf. Four previously known bands have been extended to considerably higher spin, and configurations of the new bands are proposed. Two different bands have been assigned configurations involving the same orbitals at high spin. The two coupling schemes, deformation and rotation alignment, are discussed in connection with this new observation, which calls for a formulation of co-existing coupling schemes in six-quasiparticle structures involving the same orbitals at high spin.     

The high-resolution infrared spectra of the ν2 and ν3 bands of HOCl

The infrared spectra of the a-type transitions of the ν₂ and ν₃ bands of HO³⁵Cl and HO³⁷Cl have been obtained under high resolution. Line assignments of both bands have been made, and the spectroscopic constants have been obtained for both bands using a Watson Hamiltonian. Lines of the K_a = 5 subband of the ν₂ band of the HO³⁵Cl molecule were found to be slightly shifted by an interaction with the K_a = 4 level of the 2ν₃ vibrational state. The b-type transitions permitted for both bands were too weak to observe. Relative intensities of selected lines of both bands have been measured, and empirical Herman-Wallis factors have been determined.     

Band terminations in valence-space and core-excited configurations in102Pd

The level structure of¹⁰²Pd has been investigated using the Eurogam Phase2 array. Termination of rotational bands has been observed atI=28^? andI=32⁺, and tentatively atI=38⁺ andI=42⁺. Three other bands evolving towards termination have also been identified. These terminating bands are explained in terms of valence-space and core-excited configurations.     

Magnetic rotation — past,present and future

Magnetic-dipole rotational (MR) bands were discovered about 15 years ago without any theoretical prediction in contrast to the super-deformed (SD) bands which were predicted long ago. First identification of a quasirotational structure as MR band occurred around 1992 although Kr isotopes probably have the first set of data having the signatures of MR bands as shown by us. Our first compilation of MR bands listed 120 MR bands in 56 nuclides which have now grown to more than 180 bands in 80 nuclides. We have observed new MR bands in the A = 130 mass region in ¹³⁷Pr, ¹³⁹Nd and ¹³⁵Ba nuclei. This led to the observation of the smallest MR bands in ¹³⁷Pr, multiple minima in the γ deformation in ¹³⁵Ba, coexistence of band structure based on these minima and band crossing of MR bands in A = 130 region. Some of these results have been reviewed in this paper along with theoretical calculations. There are still a number of questions related to MR bands which have not been fully resolved. The role of neutrons/protons in magnetic rotation still needs to be delineated. Do the MR bands follow the I(I + 1) behaviour? Are these structures as regular as normal rotational bands? How important is the existence of deformation for MR bands? We address some of these questions in this paper.     

Carbon suboxide: The infrared spectrum from 1800 to 2600 cm−1

The infrared spectrum of carbon suboxide has been recorded from 1800 to 2600 cm^?1 at a resolution of 0.003 cm^?1. About 7% of the ca. 40 000 lines observed have been assigned and analyzed, belonging to 36 different bands. Most of these are associated with the fundamental ν₃, at 2289.80 cm^?1, and the combination band ν₂ + ν₄, at 2386.61 cm^?1, each of which give rise to a system of sum bands, difference bands, and hot bands involving the low-wave-number fundamental ν₇ at 18 cm^?1. A few other tentative assignments are made. The bands have been analyzed for vibrational and rotational constants.     

Rotational and single-particle structures in83Zr

The band structure of⁸³Zr has been investigated using the Daresbury recoil separator and TESSA array with 20 Compton suppressed Ge detectors and the reaction²⁸Si (⁵⁸Ni, 2pn) at 195 MeV. DCO ratios have been used to make many new spin assignments. The three known rotational bands have been extended up to the onset of the five quasiparticle bands. On the basis of the 21/2⁺, 23/2⁺ and 25/2⁺ yrast and yrare states, a (3qp) structure similar to those found in the isotones⁷⁹Kr and⁸¹Sr has been identified. Additional bands have been observed for the first time, one of which appears to be non-collective. Strong mixing between the various negative parity bands is evident. A multiplet of states feeding the three quasiparticle region of the negative parity yrast band has been found. The data is interpreted in the framework of the cranked shell model.     

The infrared spectrum of 12C2HD: the stretching–bending combination bands in the 1800–4700 cm−1 region

The infrared spectrum of ¹²C₂HD has been observed between 1800 and 4700?cm^?1 by Fourier transform spectroscopy. The ν₁, ν₂ and ν₃ absorption bands and the associated hot and combination bands involving the bending modes up to υ_t?=?υ₄?+?υ₅?=?2 have been investigated. Altogether, 60 vibrational bands were analysed, leading to the spectroscopic characterization of 31 vibrationally excited states. Several perturbations have been observed, but the transitions involving the perturbing states have not been detected. As a consequence, an appropriate treatment of the vibrational or ro-vibrational interactions has not been possible. A tentative assignment of the perturbing states has been proposed. Eventually, global fits for each fundamental vibration and its associated cold and hot bands have been performed.     

Observation of two-phonon difference bands in the FIR transmission spectrum of Si

The FIR transmission spectrum of Si has been measured between 100 and 400 cm⁻¹ by FTS at both 90 and 300 K. Weak absorption bands have been observed for the first time at 122 and 156 cm⁻¹ in addition to bands at 316 and 376 cm⁻¹ which have been reported before. The bands are assigned to two-phonon difference processes at the L, X and W points in the Brillouin zone.     

Electronic band structure of TiCl3

Energy bands for the 3d? electrons of Ti³⁺ in the high temperature structure of TiCl₃ have been calculated by the tight-binding approximation. Cubic symmetry around each Ti³⁺ is assumed and transfer between the 3p atomic orbitals of Cl^? and 3d? atomic orbitals of Ti³⁺ is considered. Two singlet bands and two doublet bands with no dispersion have been obtained. The dispersionless character is discussed by constructing Wannier functions.     

Study of band crossings in 182Os

High-spin states in ¹⁸²Os have been populated by the (¹⁸O, 4n) reaction and studied using in-beam spectroscopy methods. Seven side bands have been established for the first time. Three of the side bands show a band crossing. The features of the bands have been interpreted in the framework of the cranking model considering the motion of independent particles in a rotating deformed potential. The band crossings of the yrast band and of these three side bands can be explained by the rotation-alignment of a pair of $\text{i}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>13</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ quasineutrons.     

Analysis of the Comet-Tail (AΠi-XΣ) Bands of CO

In the electronic emission spectrum of the isotopic carbon monoxide ion ¹³C¹⁶O⁺ molecule, seven bands of the comet-tail (A²Π_i-X²Σ⁺) system have been recorded and analyzed. The spin splitting in most observed lines of the bands 1-0, 2-0, 3-0, 4-0, 5-0, 2-1, and 7-1 comprising over 1900 lines has been recorded under high resolution by using conventional spectroscopy. The rotational analysis of bands has been performed by nonlinear least-squares procedures and by means of effective Hamiltonians of Brown et al., the rovibronic structure parameters have been obtained. As a result of multistaged and merged analysis of the currently obtained bands of the A-X system and of the bands of the B-X system obtained earlier the state of information about the energy structure has been significantly enlarged for the A state and enlarged and improved for the X state. Also RKR potential curves have been calculated for both states and Franck-Condon factors as well as r-centroids of the comet-tail system of ¹³C¹⁶O⁺.     

Level structure of78Rb

The excited states of⁷⁸Rb have been investigated by means of in-beam andβ-γ spectroscopy. The production of⁷⁸Rb and theβ radioactivity of⁷⁸Sr have been made through the⁵⁴Fe(²⁸Si,3pn) and⁵⁴Fe(²⁸Si,2p2n) reactions, respectively. Four rotational bands have been observed in the high-spin band structure. The signature splitting is large in the two bands, while the other two bands have small splitting. A detailed low-lying level scheme of⁷⁸Rb has been constructed for the first time via theβ decay of⁷⁸Sr in order to search for a linking transition between the high-spin band head and low lying states.     

New spectroscopic studies of the Comet-Tail (AΠi-XΣ) system of the CO molecule

In the electronic emission spectrum of the ¹²C¹⁶O⁺ molecule, 11 bands of the Comet-Tail (A²Π_i-X²Σ⁺) system have been recorded and analyzed. Spin splitting in most of the observed lines of the 0-2, 1-0, 2-0, 2-1, 3-0, 4-0, 4-2, 6-0, 7-0, 7-1, and 8-1 bands, comprising nearly 3400 lines, has been recorded under high resolution by conventional spectroscopy. The rotational analysis of bands has been performed by nonlinear least-squares procedures and by means of effective Hamiltonians of Brown et al. and the rovibronic structure parameters have been obtained. The data of bands of the A-X system and earlier analyzed bands of the B-X and B-A systems have been merged together. As a result of this global fit, the state of information about the energy structure has been significantly enlarged for the A state and enlarged and improved for the X state. Also RKR potential curves for both states and Franck-Condon factors as well as r-centroids of the Comet-Tail system of CO⁺ have been calculated.     

New multi-phonon gamma vibrational bands in A∼110 neutron-rich nuclei

The high spin states of neutron-rich ¹⁰³Nb, ¹⁰⁷Tc and ¹⁰⁹Tc nuclei in A～110 region have been investigated by measuring prompt γ-γ-γ coincident measurements populated with the spontaneous fission of ²⁵²Cf with the Gammasphere detector array. In ¹⁰³Nb, one-phonon K = 9/2 and two-phonon K = 13/2 γ-vibrational bands have been identified. In ¹⁰⁷Tc and ¹⁰⁹Tc, one-phonon K = 11/2 and two-phonon K = 15/2 γ-vibrational bands, in which the zero-phonon bands are based on K=7/2 excited states, have also been identified. The two-phonon bands are first observed in odd-Z nuclei. The characteristics for these band structures have been discussed.     

Photon avalanche upconversion and pump power studies in LaF<Subscript>3</Subscript>:Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript>/Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> phosphor

Hexagonal LaF₃:Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ phosphor material has been synthesized by chemical precipitation method to obtain high near-infrared to green upconversion (UC) efficiency. Its thermal, structural and fluorescence properties have been studied. UC emission bands have been observed up to 315 nm in UV region. The effect of input pump power on the intensities of various emission bands has been studied in detail and photon avalanche UC mechanism has been identified. On increasing the excitation power, some bands have shown saturation in intensity. Also, at higher pump intensities two new UC bands were observed and their origin has been discussed. The phosphor has also been tested for possible UC-based fingerprint detection.     

Study of 169Hf at high rotational frequency

High-spin properties of the nucleus ¹⁶⁹Hf have been studied through the fusion evaporation reaction ⁹⁶Zr(⁷⁶Ge,3n)¹⁶⁹Hf at a beam energy of 310 MeV. The known rotational bands have been extended considerably and 6 new bands have been established, four of which form coupled bands with pronounced M1 connections. Quasiparticle assignments are suggested for the new band structures, and it appears that coupling to vibrational degrees of freedom plays a role. Both coupled bands involve the excitation of quasiprotons. In the region of highest spin, a large alignment gain is interpreted in terms of a mixed crossing where an h _9/2 and an h _11/2 quasiproton provide the two signatures of the aligning configuration. Received: 23 March 2001 / Accepted: 20 September 2001