Beta decay of 125Sb and level structures in 125Te

The decay of 2.76y ¹²⁵Sb to levels of ¹²⁵Te has been studied using an HPGe detector for gamma-ray and a mini orange electron spectrometer for conversion electron measurements. We identify 38 transitions in this decay, including 13 gamma rays and 4 conversion electron lines being reported for the first time. New results also include E1 multipolarity assignments to 3 newly observed transitions and M-shell conversion coefficient for the 109 keV M4 transition. A revised ¹²⁵Te level scheme is constructed using Ritz combination principle. While confirming the existence of 10 well established levels below 700 keV excitation, we introduce 3 other levels at 402.0, 538.6 and 652.9 keV. Interpretation of the observed levels in terms of various theoretical approaches is briefly discussed. The newly introduced 538.6 keV (1/2⁺) and 652.9 keV (3/2⁺) levels are seen as the two missing members of the (s _1/2 ⊗ 2⁺) and (d _3/2 ⊗ 2⁺) sextuplet in the quasiparticle-phonon coupling scheme.     

Level structure of 123Cs observed from 123Ba decay and described using the IBFM and CQPC models

The decay of ¹²³Ba to ¹²³Cs has been studied with mass-separated sources. Singles spectra of γ-rays, X-rays and conversion electrons as well as γ - γ - t, γ - e ⁻ - t, and X - e ⁻ - t coincidences were recorded. A level scheme of ¹²³Cs has been constructed including 26 new excited states and 82 transitions. The existence of a I ^π = 11/2⁻, T _1/2 = 1.7 s isomer, bandhead of the h _11/2 band, is confirmed. Its excitation energy equals 156.3 keV. A new T _1/2 = 114 ns isomer has been established at 232 keV using the in-beam recoil catcher technique. It is assigned to the I ^π = 9/2⁺ bandhead of the gpg _9/2 band. Collective bands based on the 1/2⁺ ground state and first 3/2⁺ excited state are proposed. The level structure is described in the frame of the interacting boson-fermion and core-quasiparticle coupling models.     

High spin states in 63Cu

Excited states of ⁶³Cu were populated via the ⁵²Cr+¹⁰O (65 MeV) reaction using the gamma detector array equipped with charged particle detector array for reaction channel separation. On the basis of γ-γ coincidence relations and angular distribution ratios, a level scheme was constructed up to E _n=7 MeV and J ^π=23/2⁽⁺⁾. The decay scheme deduced was interpreted in terms of shell model calculations, with a restricted basis of the f _5/2, p _3/2, p _1/2, g _9/2 orbitals outside a ⁵⁶ ₂₈Ni core.     

Transition to non-collective states at high spin in 124Xe

Excited states in ¹²⁴Xe were populated in the reaction ⁸²Se(⁴⁸Ca, 6n)¹²⁴Xe and γ -ray coincidence relationships were measured with the Gammasphere spectrometer. Two new bands are observed and several of the previously known bands are extended in the high- as well as in the low-spin region. Two irregular high-spin structures are also added. The irregularities are a fingerprint of a transition from collective to non-collective behaviour. Configuration assignments to the new structures are proposed on the basis of systematics and by comparing experimental properties with calculations within the framework of the cranking model.     

High-spin levels based on the 11/2- isomer in 135Ba

High-spin states in the ¹³⁵Ba nucleus have been studied with the reaction ¹³⁰Te(⁹Be, 4n) at a beam energy of 45 MeV. The level scheme based on the h _11/2 isomer has been expanded with spins up to 35/2 ℏ. At low spins, the yrast collective structure built on the ν h _11/2 ^-1 multiplet may show a transitional shape with γ > 30^° according to the systematical behavior observed in neighboring nuclei as well as the calculations of the triaxial rotor-plus-particle model. The configurations for several high-spin states have been discussed from a systematical comparison with neighboring isotones.     

Gamow-Teller beta decay of 105Sn

The β-decay of ¹⁰⁵Sn was re-investigated at the ISOL facility of GSI Darmstadt by using a total absorption spectrometer. The experimental results include the half-life and β-delayed proton branching ratio of 32.7(5)s and 1.1(4) ^. 10^-4, respectively, and the contribution of electron capture to the ¹⁰⁵Sn decay of 0.420(35). The Gamow-Teller strength distribution peaking at 3.6MeV was measured, yielding a summed Gamow-Teller strength of 3.0(4). The latter data are discussed in comparison with shell-model predictions based on an empirical interaction.     

Beta-gamma-gamma directional correlation in103Rh

β-γ-γ directional correlation studies for the cascades (i)β-rays ofE _max=0.12 MeV,γ-rays of 557 keV andγ-rays of 53 keV and (ii)β-rays ofE _max=0.21 MeV,γ-rays of 444 keV andγ-rays of 53 keV have been made. The triple correlation functionsW(θ) were obtained to beW(θ)=1+(−0.153±0.031)P ₂(cosθ)+(0.004±0.035)P ₄(cosθ) forβ-rays ofE _max 0.12 MeV→557→53 keV cascade andW(θ)=1+(0.163±0.042)P ₂(cosθ)+(−0.035±0.058)P ₄(cosθ) forβ rays ofE _max=0.21 MeV→444 keV→53 keV cascade. Spins and parities of the 650, 537 and 93 keV levels of¹⁰³Rh are deduced by triple angular correlation and the internal conversion coefficient studies. Multipolarities of the transitions are also determined.     

The neutron and proton two-particle nucleus 134Sb: New low-spin states observed in the decay of 134Sn and an estimate of the energy of the 7- isomer

Excited states in the ¹³⁴Sb nucleus, populated in the β^--decay of ¹³⁴Sn, have been studied at the mass separator OSIRIS. The ¹³⁴Sn activity was produced via fast neutron-induced fission of ²³⁸U target. A main result was the discovery of a very low-lying first-excited state of ¹³⁴Sb, at 13keV, which has led to a strong revision of the level scheme. The new results are compared with different theoretical calculations and with the known data for the analogous neutron and proton two-particle nucleus in the ²⁰⁸Pb region. On the basis of this comparison, the energy of the ( πg _7/2νf _7/2)_7- isomer is estimated to be about 250keV, some 100keV lower than previously reported. Received: 21 March 2002 / Accepted: 16 May 2002 / Published online: 31 October 2002 RID="a" ID="a"e-mail: anovak@fuw.edu.pl     

μCR42β: Muon capture rates for double-beta decay

Gamma-rays following nuclear capture of negative muons in enriched ⁴⁸Ti, ⁷⁶Se, ¹⁰⁶Cd, as well as natural Se and Cd targets were measured. Time evolution of several gamma-lines allowed to deduce the total μ-capture rates in Ti, Se and Cd isotopes, which are compared to the Primakoff estimate. The data on the partial μ-capture rates will be used for more precise calculation of the 2β-NMEs of ⁴⁸Ca, ⁷⁶Se and ¹⁰⁶Cd. Presented by V. Egorov at the Workshop on calculation of double-beta-decay matrix elements (MEDEX’05), Corfu, Greece, September 26–29, 2005. Partly supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (grant 06-02-16587).     

Studies of 213g, mRa and 214g, mRa by α and γ decay

The decay of ^{213, 214}Ra was studied by α-γ and γ-γ coincidence measurements. The nuclei were produced in the reactions ¹⁷⁰Er(⁴⁸Ca, xn)^218-x Ra and ¹⁷⁰Er(⁵⁰Ti, 3n)²¹⁷Th and subsequent α decay of ²¹⁷Th to ²¹³Ra. Evaporation residues recoiling out of the target were separated in-flight by the velocity filter SHIP and implanted into a position-sensitive 16-strip PIPS detector in order to study their subsequent decays. Associated γ-rays were detected by a four-fold Ge-Clover detector. In the present work we extracted new and improved data for ^{213, 214}Ra including isomeric transitions. The results are discussed and compared with previously published data.     

Penning trap assisted decay spectroscopy of neutron-rich 115Ru

Exotic, neutron-rich ¹¹¹Mo and ¹¹⁵Ru nuclei, produced in proton-induced fission of ²³⁸U target, were separated with the IGISOL mass separator. The separator was coupled to the JYFLTRAP Penning trap to select the ions of a single, desired element out of the isobaric IGISOL beam. Monoisotopic samples of ¹¹⁵Ru and ¹¹¹Mo ions were observed with a microchannel plate detector after the trap or were implanted on a catcher foil for gamma- and beta-ray coincidence spectroscopy. In spite of short data taking time new gamma transitions were identified in the beta decay of very neutron-rich ¹¹⁵Ru.     

Rotational structures in 123Cs

High-spin states in ¹²³Cs, populated via the ¹⁰⁰Mo ( ²⁸Si, p4n) fusion-evaporation reaction at E _lab = 130 MeV, have been investigated employing in-beam γ-ray spectroscopic techniques. Rotational bands, built on πg _7/2, πg _9/2 and the unique-parity πh _11/2 orbitals, have been extended and evolve into bands involving rotationally aligned ν(h _11/2)² and π(h _11/2)² quasiparticles. A three-quasiparticle band based on the high-K πh _11/2 ⊗ νg _7/2 ⊗ νh _11/2 configuration has also been observed. Total Routhian Surface (TRS) calculations have been used to predict the nuclear shape parameters ( β₂, β₄, γ) for the various assigned configurations. The assigned configurations have been discussed in the framework of a microscopic theory based on the deformed Hartree-Fock (HF) and angular-momentum projection techniques.     

Analysis of decay data from neutron-rich nuclei

The β-decays of the neutron-rich nuclei ¹²Be and ²⁹Ne have been studied. The statistical correlations between the almost identical half-lives of ¹²Be and its daughter ¹²B are analysed for a large sample of ¹²Be decay data. Stringent mutual bounds are obtained on the parameter set, leading to a precise determination of the ¹²Be half-life of 21.50±0.04 ms. From a simultaneous detection of β-particles and neutrons from the decay of ²⁹Ne the neutron emission probability, P_n, is determined to 17±5%. No indication of two-neutron emission is seen from this nucleus. An upper limit of 2.2% (90% confidence level) is established for P_2n. Received: 3 May 2001 / Accepted: 6 August 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.     

A new measurement of 208Tl levels

A new determination for the levels of the nucleus ²⁰⁸Tl was performed by measuring the γ-rays following the β^--decay of ²⁰⁸Hg. Twenty-six γ-rays were assigned and three new levels of ²⁰⁸Tl at 1.728 MeV, 1.652 MeV and 1.362 MeV have been affirmed. A partial ²⁰⁸Hg decaying γ scheme was proposed. The experimental level structure was compared with a shell model calculation. Received: 12 August 2002 / Accepted: 19 December 2002 / Published online: 25 February 2003 RID="a" ID="a"e-mail: Li41zhang@yahoo.com Communicated by W. Henning     

Beta decay of 101Sn

The β decay of the very neutron-deficient isotope ¹⁰¹Sn was studied at the GSI on-line mass separator using silicon detectors for recording charged particles and germanium detectors for γ-ray spectroscopy. Based on the β-delayed proton data the production cross-section of ¹⁰¹Sn in the ⁵⁰Cr + ⁵⁸Ni fusion-evaporation reaction was determined to be about 60nb. The half-life of ¹⁰¹Sn was measured to be 1.9(3)s. For the first time β-delayed γ-rays of ¹⁰¹Sn were tentatively identified, yielding weak evidence for a cascade of 352 and 1065keV transitions in ¹⁰¹In. The results for the ¹⁰¹Sn decay as well as those from previous work on the ¹⁰³Sn decay are discussed by comparing them to predictions obtained from shell model calculations employing a new interaction in the ⁸⁸Sr to ¹³²Sn model space.     

The modified decay width of the radioactive nucleus

It is reported that the width of the first excited state ( , 37.133keV) of ¹²¹ ₅₁Sb embedded in a ZnSb alloy can be modified by reabsorption of γ -rays scattered backward on the platinum (gold) reflector. Its dependence on the reflector shape is also investigated. The decay rate is reduced about 4.5% at a temperature of 4.2K by a platinum spherical reflector of 5mm radius.     

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.     

Control of bulk and surface radioactivity in bolometric searches for double-beta decay

The problem of background reduction in bolometers used to search for ββ(0ν) is reviewed with particular emphasis on bulk and surface radioactive contamination of the detectors.     

Observation of M3 isomeric transition from <Superscript>156m</Superscript>Pm through the βdecay of <Superscript>156</Superscript>Nd

An M3 transition in a doubly odd nucleus of ¹⁵⁶Pm was identified by internal conversion electron measurement through the β-decay of ¹⁵⁶Nd which was separated from the fission products of ²³⁵U using the on-line mass separator KUR-ISOL. The isomeric state at 150.3keV de-excites to the ground state with the M3 transition, and the spin-parity is considered to be 1^-. Nilsson configurations are also discussed on the basis of the systematics.