Backbending behaviour of rotational bands in 163,165,167Yb

Several rotational bands in ^163,165,167Yb are observed in (HI,xnγe^?) experiments. The $\text{i}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>13</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ and $\text{3}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}\text{[521]}$ bands do not backbend, whereas the $\text{5}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}\text{[523]}$ bands do, indicating additional processes besides the rotational alignment of one $\text{i}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>13</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ neutron pair that are responsible for the backbending.     

VAMPIR calculations for 128Ba and 130Ce: Two mechanisms of backbending

Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov calculations with spin and number projection before the variation (VAMPIR) are performed for the nuclei ¹²⁸Ba and ¹³⁰Ce using a slightly renormalized Brueckner G-matrix as effective interaction in a rather large single-particle basis. The results are compared to those of Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov calculations with projection after the variation, those of multiconfiguration calculations (MONSTER) and to experiment. In both nuclei the VAMPIR and the MONSTER approaches turn out to be of about the same quality and agree rather well with the experimental data. Analysis of the VAMPIR mean fields reveals that two somewhat different mechanisms are responsible for the backbending observed in the yrast bands of the two nuclei. While in ¹³⁰Ce the well-known alignment of two high-j quasiparticles (proton $\text{h}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>11</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$) is found, in ¹²⁸Ba first a neutron pair is scattered from the $\text{h}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>11</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ to the $\text{g}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>7</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ orbit, and then the larger alignment energy of the less occupied neutron $\text{h}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>11</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ states produces the backbend. This latter effect is in agreement with the predictions of a simple model presented by us some years ago.     

Self-consistent field description of high spin states in rare earth nuclei

The Hartree-Fock-Begoliubov cranking equations are solved for ^{168, 170}Yb and ¹⁷⁴Hf. Deformation and pairing properties are both obtained with a G-matrix derived from the Reid soft-core potential. The high spin anomalies are attributed to the disappearance of the neutron pair gap in ¹⁶⁸Yb, the realignment of an $\text{i}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>13</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$. neutron pair in ¹⁷⁰Yb, and a combination of these two mechanisms in ¹⁷⁴Hf. Two bands intersecting at high spin are found for ¹⁷⁴Hf.     

g-Factors of high-spin isomers in 194Hg and 196Hg

The g-factors of the 10⁺ isomeric states in ¹⁹⁴Hg and ¹⁹⁶Hg have been measured using the in beam IPAD method. The results $\text{g(}{}^{194}\text{Hg}\text{) = ?0.24(4)}$ and $\text{g(}{}^{196}\text{Hg}\text{) = ?0.18(9)}$ are in agreement with the value expected for an ($\text{i}{}_1\text{3}\text{2}$^?2) neutron satructure and clearly contradict the previous assignment as ($\text{h}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}{}^{\mathrm{?2}}$) proton configurations. Cranking model calculations show that the neutron excitation energies in the rotating frame agree satisfactorily with the experimental energies and that the proton excitations are expected ≈2 MeV above the experimental yrast line     

High-spin structure in 169W and 170W

High-spin states in ^{169, 170}W have been populated in ${}^{154}\text{Gd}\text{(}{}^{20}\text{Ne}\text{, x}\text{n}\text{)}$ reactions. In-beam γ-ray spectroscopic techniques with multi-detector set-ups, multiplicity filters and an anti-Compton shield have been used. Levels up to about spin 30 (tentatively up to 36) in ¹⁷⁰W and up to $\text{57}\text{2}$ (tentatively up to $\text{61}\text{2}$) in ¹⁶⁹W have been identified. The data are interpreted within the framework of a pairing-selfconsistent cranking model. The nuclear shape evolution with increasing spin is studied theoretically within a configuration-controlled shell correction approach and also pairing effects are studied. The behaviour of the yrast states around 28⁺ in ¹⁷⁰W can be related in a model-dependent way to a reduction of the neutron-pairing correlations.     

Connection between backbending and high-spin isomer decay in 179W

A new 710 ns isomer in ¹⁷⁹W is found to decay directly into backbending region of the $\text{7}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{-}}\text{(514)}$ gorund-state band. The $\text{i}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>13</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ band is observed up to spin $\text{41}\text{2}$ and shows no evidence for backbending at core rotational frequencies, where the effect is observed in the ¹⁷⁹W and ¹⁸⁰W ground-state bands.     

The h112 and g72 band structures in 131Ce and 129Ce

High-spin levels in ^{129, 131}Ce have been produced by the reactions ^{116, 118}Sn(¹⁶O, 3n) ^{129, 131}Ce and studied by in-beam γ-ray spectroscopic techniques. Two strongly populated band structures are observed. The odd-parity levels based on a $\text{9}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$ state constitute a system explained in the triaxial-rotor-plus-particle model as the result of the coupling of an $\text{h}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>11</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ neutron-hole to a prolate-type triaxial core. The even-parity band built on a $\text{7}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ state corresponds to collective excitations associated with a neutron-hole in the $\text{g}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>7</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ shell. Backbending effect observed in the yrast cascade is discussed.     

Rotational bands in 195, 197Tl

High-spin states in ^{195, 197}Tl have been populated with (α, xn) reactions and studied by means of in-beam γ-ray and e^? spectroscopic methods. Complementary studies of the decay of ^{195, 197}Pb to ^{195, 197}Tl have been carried out. Several new features have been observed in these nuclei. The $\text{9}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$ bands of ^{195, 197}T1. extended to $\text{27}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{(?)}}$ and $\text{29}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{(?)}}$, respectively, show a quenching of energy spacings between the $\text{23}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$, $\text{25}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$, $\text{27}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{(?}}$ and $\text{29}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{(?}}$ states. This has been interpreted as resulting from the coupling of a $\text{h}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>9</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ proton to the ($\text{π}\text{h}{}^{\mathrm{?2}}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>11</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{)}{}_{\mathrm{8+,\; 10+}}$ configurations in the core nuclei ^{194, 196}Hg. Furthermore, positive-parity bands based on $\text{15}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ states were established up to the $\text{35}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{(+)}}$ and $\text{29}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{(+)}}$ states in ^{195, 197}Tl respectively. Probably these bands originate from the coupling of a h${}_{\mathrm{<mtext>9</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ proton to a broken neutron pair. This pair consists of a rotation-aligned $\text{i}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>13</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ neutron and a low-j neutron in the $\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$, $\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>3</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ or $\text{f}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ shell. It is known to constitute the 5^? bands in ^{194, 196}Hg.     

Medium-spin levels and the character of the 20.4 ns 132+ isomer in 145Gd

Levels of the N = 81 nucleus ¹⁴⁵Gd have been investigated by in-beam γ-ray and conversion electron spectroscopy with the ¹⁴⁴Sm(³He, 2n) reaction. Fourteen new low- and medium-spin states between 1.0 and 2.4 MeV excitation, the known yrast levels up to spin $\text{21}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$, five other high-spin non-yrast states and a new 20.4 ns $\text{13}\text{2}$ isomer at 2200.2 keV in ¹⁴⁵Gd have been observed. The isomer decays via a fast 927.3 keV E3 transition with B(E3) = 48 ± 7 W.u. Another weaker decay branch is a mixed, strongly hindered E1 + M2 + E3 transition to the $\text{v}\text{h}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>11</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ state. We propose an octupole $\text{v}\text{f}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>7</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{j}{}^{\mathrm{?2}}\text{× 3}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$ main configuration for the isomer, analogous to the 997 keV $\text{13}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ isomer in ¹⁴⁷Gd. The levels of ¹⁴⁵Gd are discussed on the basis of the spherical shell model.     

Influence of protons on backbending

Backbending in (at least the first half of) the rare earth nuclei seems to be determined by the alignment of an $\text{i}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>13</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ neutron pair. This is supported by the disappearance of backbending due to the blocking of an $\text{i}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>13</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ level by an odd neutron for example in ¹⁶⁵Yb. Contrary to expectations backbending disappears also by adding an odd $\text{h}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>9</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$,proton to ₇₀¹⁶⁶Yb in ₇₁¹⁶⁷Lu for this state (but is present if the odd proton is in the $\text{g}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>7</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ level). A theory is presented which explains the odd neutron and the odd proton nuclei. It turns out that the odd proton in ¹⁶⁷Lu serves only as a type of catalyst for the alignment of an $\text{i}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>13</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ neutron pair. The odd proton changes the deformation and moves the Fermi surface nearer ($\text{g}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>7</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$) or farther away ($\text{h}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>9</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$) from the nearest $\text{i}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>13</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ neutron level. In one case one finds backbending and in the other case no backbending in ¹⁶⁷Lu.     

Decay of 48K, 49K and 50K

The ⁴⁸K, ⁴⁹K and ⁵⁰K nuclides have been produced in high energy fragmentation and analyzed by mass spectroscopy techniques. Their half-lives have been measured as 6 ± 1 s, 1.1 ± 0.3 s and and 0.7 ± 0.3 s, respectively. The γ-rays from their radioactive decay have been observed and the corresponding γ-intensities measured. The nuclide ⁵⁰K is shown to be a delayed neutron emitter. The antianalog states in the daughter Ca nuclei with a $\text{(1d}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>3</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{)}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$ neutron configuration, preferentially populated in the β-decay, have been located. The corresponding $\text{1d}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>3</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ neutron single-particle energy is found to remain approximately constant for these neutron-rich Ca isotopes.     

Author index

High-spin states in ^167,168Hf and ^{170, 171}W have been excited by the reactions ${}^{159}\text{Tb}\text{(}{}^{14}\text{N}\text{, x}\text{n}\text{)}{}^{\mathrm{173\; ?\; x}}\text{Hf and}{}^{155}\text{Gd}\text{(}{}^{20}\text{Ne}\text{, x}\text{n}\text{)}{}^{\mathrm{175\; ?\; x}}\text{W}$. The yrast bands have been observed up to $\text{J}{}^{\mathrm{\pi }}\text{=}\text{49}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ in ¹⁶⁷Hf, J^π = 28⁺ in ¹⁶⁸Hf, $\text{J}{}^{\mathrm{\pi }}\text{=}\text{45}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ in ¹⁷¹W and J^π = 22⁺ in ¹⁷⁰W. Both even-even nuclei display a strong backbend around J^π = 14⁺, whereas ¹⁶⁷Hf shows an upbend at ω ～- 0.33 MeV and ¹⁷¹W exhibits a progressive gain in aligned angular momentum above ω ～- 0.26 MeV. At even higher rotational frequencies, bridges have been found in the central valleys of the γ-γ correlation matrices at ω ～- 0.42 and 0.52 MeV for the Hf isotopes and ω ～- 0.45 and 0.47 MeV for the W isotopes. Deduced moments of inertia for the Hf isotopes using the correlation data show a smooth increase up to about the rigid-sphere value at ω ～- 0.5 MeV. The data are satisfactorily accounted for by cranked shell-model calculations. In particular, a qualitative interpretation is given for the experimentally observed systematic difference in the strength of the interaction potential for the N = 95 and N = 97 isotopes of Hf and W.     

High-spin level systematics in 177–182W: Yrast band anomaly in 180W

High-spin levels in ^177–182W have been populated in (α,χnγ) reactions. Backbending-type behavior appears most prominently in ¹⁸⁰W. The role of $\text{i}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>13</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ neutrons and $\text{h}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>9</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ protons in the ¹⁸⁰W yrast behavior is examined. A strongly-coupled K^π = 10⁺ band structure is identified in ¹⁸²W, the first seniority-two $\text{i}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>13</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ configuration to be characterized in a deformed nucleus.     

Magnetic moments of (νi132)−n isomers in neutron-deficient lead isotopes

The magnetic moments of the 12⁺ isomers in ^{192, 196, 198, 200, 206}Pb and of the $\text{33}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ isomer in ²⁰⁵Pb have been measured using the PAD technique. The results for the g-factors are: g(192) = ?0.173(2), g(196) = ?0.1600(15), g(198) = ?0.1552(15), g(200) = ?0.1512(15), g(206) = ?0.1496(18), and g(205) = ?0.148(5). As all states have a rather pure $\text{(νi}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>13</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{)}{}^{\mathrm{?n}}$ configuration, the values reflect directly the $\text{νi}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>13</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ orbital. They show a decrease towards the more neutron-deficient isotopes attributed to the reduced core polarisation as a result of decreasing occupation of the $\text{i}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>13</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ neutron shell. The measured systematics are discussed regarding core polarisation, mesonic corrections, and small admixtures of core-excited states to the $\text{i}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>13</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ wave function.     

Study of the three-proton three-neutron-hole nucleus 208At

Levels in ²⁰⁸At were populated in the ²⁰⁹Bi(α, 5n) reaction, and the subsequent radiation was studied using γ-spectroscopic methods including γ-ray excitation function and angular distribution, γγ(t) coincidence and γt measurements, as well as measurements of conversion electrons. The excited spectrum of ²⁰⁸At is found to consist of two almost disconnected parts which are proposed to originate from seniority-three proton and neutron cascades. Two isometric states are observed. A $\text{T}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{= 45 ± 2}\text{ns}$ state at 1090 keV is proposed to have the main configuration and J^π = 10^?. A high-spin isomer with $\text{T}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{= 1.5 ± 0.2 μs at 2276}\text{keV}$ is assigned to be the state. Shell-model arguments are used to assign configurations to most of the observed levels. Transition rates are discussed.     

Observation of rotation-aligned bands in the odd-odd nuclei 190, 192, 194Au

Two rotation-aligned bands based on an (11)^? isomer and a (12)^? state, respectively, were observed in ^{190, 192, 194}Au. They have most probably $\text{(πh}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>11</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}\text{μi}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>13</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}\text{)}$ configurations in agreement with recent theoretical predictions in the framework of the triaxial-rotor-plus-particle model.     

Observation of isomeric states and band structures in 107Cd

The odd-mass nucleus ¹⁰⁷Cd was investigated in the reactions ${}^{105}\text{Pd}\text{(α, 2}\text{n}\text{)}{}^{107}\text{Cd}\text{,}{}^{107}\text{Ag}\text{(d, 2}\text{n}\text{)}{}^{107}\text{Cd and}{}^{107}\text{Ag}\text{(}\text{p, n}\text{)}{}^{107}\text{Cd}$. The constructed level scheme is based on results, obtained from singles γ-ray spectra and excitation functions, from the measurements of delayed γ-rays, of γ-γ coincidences, of internal conversion electrons and of γ-ray angular distributions. Two new isomers were observed. The first one, interpreted as the $\text{h}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>11</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ neutron state at 845.6 keV has a half-life of 67 ± 6 ns. This isomeric state is populated by a strong E2 cascade. Bands built on the other intrinsic states with spins and parities $\text{5}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ and $\text{7}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ are not strongly populated. For the second isomeric state at an excitation energy of 2679 keV a half-life of 55±4 ns was determined. This isomer is probably a three-quasiparticle state. Its configuration can be proposed as $\text{[π(}\text{g}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>9</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{)}{}^{\mathrm{?2}}{}_{\mathrm{8+}}\text{ν(}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>7</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{)}{}^1\text{]}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>21</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$.     

Structure of the yrast line in 42Ca up to the alpha-particle pinch-off

The yrast line of ⁴²Ca has been investigated with the reaction ${}^{27}\text{Al}\text{(}{}^{19}\text{F}\text{, 2}\text{p}\text{2}\text{n}\text{γ)}{}^{42}\text{Ca at}\text{E}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>lab</mtext>}}\text{=47–108}\text{MeV}$ by means of an anti-Compton γ-spectrometer. The particular feeding and structure of the yrast line in ⁴²Ca up to J=14 is understood by weak-coupling calculations.     

Absolute E1, ΔK = 1 transition probabilities between multi-quasiparticle high-spin states in 176Hf and 178Hf

Applying the generalized centroid shift method in (α, 2n) reactions, the half-lives of the 3080 keV 15⁺ state in ¹⁷⁶Hf and of the 1637 keV 5^? state in ¹⁷⁸Hf have been measured as $\text{T}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{= 0.20}{}^{\mathrm{+0.12}}{}_{\mathrm{?0.08}}\text{ns}$ and $\text{T}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{= 0.40 ± 0.10}\text{ns}$, respectively. B(El) values of K-allowed E1 transitions $\text{n}\text{9}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{[624]→}\text{7}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}\text{[514]}$ are derived, and together with other data on similar transitions in odd-A nuclei, compared with predictions of the Nilsson plus pairing model. In ¹⁷⁶Hf, the 15⁺ and 14^? states at 3080 and 2866 keV, respectively, appear as quite pure deformed 4QP configurations. In the 2QP state at 1637 keV in ¹⁷⁸Hf, possible strong mixing of vibrational components is discussed coupled via 2QP K-admixtures arising from the partial alignment of the $\text{i}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>13</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ neutron.