Quantum numbers of26Al levels above 6 MeV excitation energy

Measurements of resonance strengths and ofγ-ray angular distributions or anisotropies have been performed on selected resonances of the²⁵Mg(p, γ) reaction in the rangeE _p=2–4 MeV,E _x=8.2?10.1 MeV with an emphasis on high-spin andT=1 analog resonances. EightT=1 states are identified, among them high-spin states at 8747 keV (I=6), 9286 KeV (I=5), and 9986 keV (I ^π = 7⁺, 6⁺). Shell model calculations in thes-d basis space reproduce the branching ratios of these states and clarify the nature of final states. New high-spinT=0 states are observed at 9720 keV (I ^π = 7⁺), 8602 keV (I = 6), and 6695 keV (I ^π = 7⁺). TheI ^π assignments to severalE _x = 6–8 MeV states are revised and the role of two-particle excitations into thef-p shell is elucidated. A revised spectrum of 73 positive-parity,T = 0 states is compared to the predictions of shell-model calculations in thes-d basis space using the universals-d shell Hamiltonian.     

Helium burning of 18O

The ¹⁸O(α, γ)²²Ne capture reaction has been studied at E_α = 0.6?2.3 MeV. The known resonance at E_α = 2.20 MeV has been established and fourteen new resonances have been found in the energy range covered. The E_α = 1.16, 1.32, 1.45, 1.53, 1.87, 1.96 and 2.15 MeV resonances correspond to resonances observed previously in the ¹⁸O(α, n)²¹Ne reaction. The E_α = 0.77, 1.25 and 1.27 MeV resonances represent new compound states in ²²Ne. Information on branching ratios, ωγ values and total widths is reported. Transition strength arguments and analyses of γ-ray angular distribution data together with results from previous work resulted in the most likely J^π assignments for the resonances.The E_α = 1.66 and 1.78 MeV resonances are good candidates for the two J^π = 8⁺ states predicted at E_x ≈ 11–12 MeV and are probably members of the K^π = 0⁺ (ground state) and K^π = 2⁺ rotational bands in ²²Ne.The investigated energy range of E_α together with that of previous work corresponds to stellar temperatures of T = (0.3?4.3) × 10⁹ K. The astrophysical reaction rate determined from these data is compared with predictions based in part on the nuclear optical model. The rate is also compared with that of the competing ¹⁸O(α, n)²¹Ne reaction.     

Structure of28Si from the spectroscopy of high-spin states

A search for high-spin states in²⁸Si has been performed byn?y coincidence measurements in the²⁵Mg(α,nγy) reaction atE _α=14 and 15.5 MeV. Spin-parity assignments of the observed levels were obtained fromn?γ angular correlation and lifetime measurements atE _α=14.5 MeV. Theγ-decay of the 9,164 keV level was investigated separately with the²⁷Al(p, γ) reaction at theE _p=2,160 and 2,312 keV resonances. Rotational bands withK ^π=3^? (comprising levels atE _x=6,879, 8,413, 10,188 and 12,204 keV),K ^π =5^? (comprising levels atE _x=9,702, 11,577 and 13,741 keV) andK ^π=0⁺ (comprising levels atE _x=6,691, 7,381, 9,164 and 11,509 keV) were observed. The finding of the latter band supports the idea of coexisting oblate and prolate shapes in²⁸Si. A level at 14,643 keV excitation energy has the properties of theI ^π=8⁺ member of the ground state band. There are additional positive-parity high-spin states which do not fit into rotational bands. All types of positive-parity states are well accounted for by shell model calculations.     

Precise excitation energy and γ-ray decay of the lowest T = 2 state in 40K

The excitation energy of the lowest T = 2 state in ⁴⁰K has been determined as E_x = 4384.0 ± 0.3 keV from n-γ and γ-γ coincidence experiments. The state was populated with the ⁴Ar(p,n)⁴⁰K reaction at E_p = 8.30 MeV. Gamma-gamma angular correlation measurements yield unambiguous spin assignments J = 0 and 1 for the 1.64 and 2.290 MeV states, respectively. The excitation energy of the T = 2, J^π = 0⁺ state leads to a calculated mass excess of ?9120 ± 150 keV for ⁴⁰Ti.     

Investigation of 28Si levels with the (α, γ) and (p, γ) reactions

Particle energies have been measured for resonances in the ²⁷Al(p, γ)²⁸Si and ²⁴Mg(α, γ)²⁸Si reactions with an accuracy of 0.5 × 10^?4 and 1 × 10^?4, respectively. The E_p = 991.88 ± 0.04 keV²⁷Al(p, γ)²⁸Si resonance served as calibration point. From these data the Q-value of the reaction ²⁷Al(p, α)²⁴Mg has been determined as 1600.14 ± 0.21 keV. Excitation energies of ²⁸Si levels have been measured with the ²⁷Al(p, γ)²⁸Si reaction; the reaction energy is Q = 11584.5 ± 0.4 keV.Of 33 resonances observed in the ²⁴Mg(α, γ)²⁸Si reaction (E_α = 1.5–3.8 MeV), energies, strengths and γ-ray decay have been measured; five of these resonances had not been reported previously. The γ-ray angular distribution measurements at three resonances yield the resonance J^π values and the mixing ratios of the strongest transitions involved in the decay. The 10.38 MeV level has J^π = 3⁺, T = 1. The arguments on which T-assignments can be based are critically reviewed. These arguments are used to assign T = 1 character to ¹⁹ states of ²⁸Si.     

Search for missing predicted high-spin states in28Si

New shell model calculations have predicted several high-spin (I ^π=5⁺ and 6⁺) levels in²⁸Si near 10 MeV excitation energy which are missing from or ambiguous in existing experimental studies. Angular distributions, linear polarizations and Doppler-shifts ofγ-rays have been measured for theγ-decay of theE _p=1,911 and 2,073 KeV resonances of the²⁷Al(p, γ) reaction in an attempt to discover these missing states or confirm the discrepancies between experiment and theory. The excitation energies and spin-parities of the resonances were determined as 13,424.4±0.2 keV,I ^π=5⁺ and 13,582.3±0.5 keV,I ^π=6⁺. States populated in theγ-decay of these resonances were assigned spins and parities as follows: 11,777 keV,I ^π=5⁺; 11,331 keV,I ^π=6⁺; 10,417 keV,I ^π=5⁺; 9,417 keV,I ^π=4⁺ and 8,945 keV,I ^π=5⁺. On the basis ofγ-ray transition rates T=1 is assigned to the 13,424 keV level and T=0 to the 10,417 and 11,777 keV levels. With the new data excellent agreement is achieved between the experimental spectrum of²⁸Si and the new shell model predictions. These data provide evidence for aK ^π=3⁺ rotational band comprised by the 6,276, 6,889, 8,945 and 11,331 keV levels. This band emerges also from the shell model wave functions as do theK ^π=0⁺ bands based on the ground state and the 6,691 keV state.     

A study of 28Si(α, γ)32S resonances below Eα = 3.83 MeV

The γ-decays of eleven resonances in the ²⁸Si(α,γ)³²S reaction below E_α = 3.83 MeV have been studied using a large Ge(Li) detector. Results for branching ratios differ considerably from previous NaI work. The previous discrepancy in radiative strengths for the 2.61 MeV resonance is explained by this data. The strengths of the first five resonances at E_α = 1.77, 1.99, 2.19, 2.37 and 2.42 MeV appear to be (39 ± 13)% lower than previously reported. Spin-parities of l^?, 2⁺ and 2⁺ have been assigned to the levels at 8.50, 8.69 and 8.86 MeV respectively. The radiative width of the E_p = 1.467 MeV, J^π = 3^? resonance in the ³¹P(p,γ)³²S reaction has also been measured.     

The structure of28Si above 10 MeV excitation energy III: Level scheme and shell model interpretation

²⁸Si level scheme up to 14.5 MeV excitation energy is reevaluated using information from two preceding papers. It consists of approximately 250 levels which are almost completely characterized according to the quantum numbersI, π, T of the levels. The properties of positive-parity states are compared to the predictions of shell model calculations within the completes-d basis space using the unifieds-d shell Hamiltonian. A spectrum of 48 experimentalT=1 states between 9.3 and 16 MeV is reproduced with a rms deviation of only 150 keV. A calculation of radiative widths and γ-decay modes which uses free-nucleong-factors yields excellent agreement with experiment and confirms that quenching of M1 transitions is only marginal in²⁸Si. The detailed shell model analysis of theT=0 spectrum is extended to the limiting energy whereT=1 wave function admixtures, not contained in the theory, become important experimentally. This happens at 6–8 MeV above the yrast state, depending on the spin value. Altogether it appears that a spectrum of 171 levels below 14.5 MeV, which have positive or unassigned parity, is almost completely accounted for by the model. Apparent intruder states from outside thes-d shell space are observed atE _x =10 945 keV (I ^π=4⁺) and 12 860 keV (I ^π=6⁺) and are interpreted as members of aK ^π=0⁺ rotational band.     

High-spin states in26Mg

Theγ-decays of levels in²⁶Mg have been investigated up to 12.5 MeV excitation energy by proton-γ-ray coincidence measurements in the²³Na(α, pγ) reaction at 14.2 and 16 MeV bombarding energy. Lifetime-measurements, made with the Doppler-shift attenuation method, and proton-γ-ray angular-correlation measurements were performed at E_α=14.2 MeV. Many high-spin states were observed, among them levels at 6,978 (5⁺), 7,283(4^?), 7,395(5⁺), 7,953(5^?), 8,202(6⁺), 8,472(6⁺), 9,065(5), 9,112(6⁺), 9,169(6^?), 9,383 (6⁺), 9,542(5), 9,829(7⁺), 9,989(6⁺) and 12,479(8⁺, 7^?) keV excitation energy. The spectrum of positive-parity states and their electromagnetic properties are reproduced with good accuracy by shell-model calculations which employ a unifieds-d shell Hamiltonian and the unrestricted configuration space of the 0d _5/2 1s _1/2 0d _3/2 shell. Members of five inferred rotational bands, withK ^π=0⁺, 2⁺, 3⁺, 0⁺ and 3^? have been observed up to at leastI=6. TheK ^π=2⁺ band shows strong anomalies of excitation energies andE2 transition rates near theI=6 state. The static intrinsic quadrupole moments calculated from the shell model wave functions indicate transitions from prolate to oblate deformation within theK ^π=2⁺ band and also the ground state band. The lowest lyingI ^π=4⁺ state appears to be “spherical” and cannot be associated with a rotational band.     

Excited states of154Nd studied through the decay of154Pr

Excited states in the neutron-rich doubly-odd nucleus⁷⁸As have been identified for the first time by proton-γ and γ-γ coincidence measurements via the⁷⁶Ge(α, pn) reaction at 32, 36, and 40 MeV beam energy. Four levels have been found to decay with lifetimes in the nanosecond region. The 5⁽⁺⁾ to (10⁺) states are ascribed to the (πg _9/2?νg _9/2) intruder two-quasiparticle configuration with some collective components in the 9⁽⁺⁾ and (10⁺) states.     

Stellar reaction rate of 20Ne(α, γ)24Mg

The reaction ²⁰Ne(α, γ)²⁴Mg has been investigated at E_α(lab) = 0.55–3.20 MeV. Neon gas enriched to 99.95% in ²⁰Ne was recirculated in differentially pumped gas target systems of the extended and quasipoint jet types. New resonances were found at E_α(lab) = 958, 1226, 1260, 1704 and 2277 keV, which correspond to known states in ²⁴Mg. Excitation energies, γ-ray decay schemes, γ-ray angular distributions, resonance widths and strengths as well as J^π and T-assignments are reported for all the resonances. Information on low-lying states in ²⁴Mg is also obtained. The nuclear and astrophysical aspects of the results are discussed.     

Shape coexistence and other aspects of nuclear structure in40Ar

Theγ-decay of⁴⁰Ar has been studied by particle-γ-ray coincidence measurements in the³⁷Cl(α, pγ) reaction at 12 and 13 MeV bombarding energy. Particle-γ-ray angular correlations and linear polarizations ofγ-rays were measured at 12 MeV. A lifetime measurement using the Doppler-shift attenuation method was performed at 11 MeV. The coexistence of spherical and deformed states in⁴⁰Ar could be concluded from the observation of aK ^π=0⁺ rotational band which has itsI ^π=0⁺ through 6⁺ members at 2,121, 2,524, 3,515 and 4,959 KeV excitation energy. The intrinsic quadrupole moment derived fromB(E2) values is ∥Q ₀∥=1,320 _?120 ⁺⁶⁰ mb. Negative-parity states with high spin were observed at 4,858(5^?), 4,494(5^?), 4,226(4^?) and 4,991 KeV(4^?) excitation energy. A complete account of all levels below 5 MeV excitation energy is obtained by a model in which twod _3/2 proton holes couple weakly to the⁴²Ca levels below 4.75 MeV excitation energy.     

Excited states of 10B from the 6Li(α, γ) and 9Be(p, γ) reactions

Excitation functions for the (α, γ) and (p, γ) reactions leading to ¹⁰B have been measured at θ = 0° in the energy range from E_x = 6.7 to 7.6 MeV. Two resonances corresponding to levels at 6.88 and 7.44 MeV are observed. Branching ratios extracted from γ-ray spectra are the same in both reactions for the 6.88 MeV (1^?, T = 0 + 1) level, but different at 7.44 MeV. The T = 0 + 1 level at 7.44 MeV (Γ = 90±10keV) is assigned 2^? or 2⁺ from its strong branch to the 3⁺ ground state. We find no evidence for a second isospin mixed 1^? state.     

The structure of 32S II. Shell model interpretation

The properties of positive-parity states in ³²S are compared to predictions of shell model calculations within the complete s-d basis space using the universal s-d shell Hamiltonian. The experimental T = O spectrum is reproduced to excitation energies between 10 and 11.7 MeV, depending on the level spins. The T = 1 spectrum is known and reproduced for the first five 5 MeV in excitation in general and for the first 8 MeV in the case of I^π = 1⁺ states. Altogether the excitation energies of 80 positive-parity states are reproduced with a rms deviation of 200 keV. A calculation of radiative widths and branching ratios for γ-decay which uses effective charges and free-nucleon g-factors yields good general agreement with experiment. The need for effective g-factors is felt only in the rare cases of transitions which are governed by the isovector d_3/2 → d_5/2 M1 matrix element. The spectrum of negative parity, T = 1 states is understood in terms of the weak-coupling model while that of the T = 0 states is comprised of octupole-quadrupole phonon multiplets. Positive-parity states from outside the s-d configuration are first observed between 9.5 and 10.5 MeV excitation energy.     

Study of the 19F(p, γ)20Ne radiative capture reaction from 0.2–1.2 MeV

The ¹⁹F(p, γ)²⁰Ne radiative capture reaction has been investigated for proton energies of 0.2–1.2 MeV. Excitation functions of γ-rays arising from capture reactions have been measured and the properties of known J^π = J^?J+1 resonances were studied. From the branching ratio and angular distribution measurements, the partial widths for gamma ray and proton emission of the 13.88 MeV level in ²⁰Ne were obtained, and J^π = 2⁺, T = 1 assignments for this resonance at E_P = 1091keV were made. Lower upper limit for the total width Γ = 0.8 keV has been obtained.     

Levels of 28Si from the 24Mg(α, α)24Mg and 24Mg(α, γ)28Si reactions

Excitation functions have been measured at six angles for ²⁴Mg(α, α)²⁴Mg up to E_α 4.94 MeV. Multi-level R-matrix analysis was performed for nineteen resonances. More than ha of the determined spin-parities and other resonance parameters are new values. The ²⁴Mg(α, γ)²⁸Si studies of Maas et al. were extended up to E_α = 5.13 MeV. Resonance strengths and branchin ratios were determined. The γ-ray angular distribution measurement at E_α = 3.79 MeV gives J^π = 2⁺ value for the resonance. A comparison of the results obtained in different reaction channel is given and the possibility of clusterisation in some excited states of ²⁸Si is discussed.     

A spectroscopic study of 18F: (I). The 17O(p,p)17O and 17O(p, α0)14N reactions

The ¹⁷O(p, p)¹⁷O and ¹⁷O(p, α₀)¹⁴N reactions have been studied in the energy range E_p = 0.5–1.33 MeV. Excitation functions for elastic scattering measured at several angles give l_p values for six resonances and J^π; T values of 3⁺; 1 and 2⁺; 1 for the states at 6.16 and 6.28 MeV, respectively. From both reactions, J^π limitations were found for six resonant levels. The ¹⁷O(p, α₀)¹⁴N reaction also yields information on T-assignments and level formation parameters. Experimental results are discussed in terms of shell-model configurations.     

The structure of27Al

Gamma decay modes and spin assignments of levels in²⁷Al have been investigated by proton-γ-ray angular correlation measurements in the²⁴Mg(α, pγ) reaction at 14.2, 15 and 15.6 MeV bombarding energy and byγ-ray angular distribution measurements on the E_p=1820, 2114, 2293 and 2574 keV resonances of the²⁶Mg(p, γ) reaction. Unique spin assignments were obtained as follows: I=3/2 for the 5827 keV state, I=5/2 for the 6115, 6465, 6765, 7577, 7721, 8097, 8136, 8324 keV states, I=7/2 for the 5433, 6533, 7413, 8037, 8442, 8586 keV states, I=9/2 for the 5418, 6512, 6713, 7997 keV states, I=11/2 for the 5500, 6948, 7400, 8396 keV states. The level scheme and electromagnetic properties of levels are compared with the results of shell model calculations which use the complete configuration space of the 0d_5/2-1s_1/2-0d_3/2 shell and the unifieds-d shell Hamiltonian. The agreement is good to excellent and extends into the region of high level density above 7 MeV excitation energy. The total B(M1↑) below 8.5 MeV excitation energy is evaluated, using published resonance fluorescence and (e, e′) data, and quenching relative to the free-nucleon predictions is reexamined. Evidence in favour of a prolate ground state deformation of²⁷Al and implications of this work for the astrophysically interesting²⁶Al(p, γ) reaction are discussed.     

Search for the parity-forbidden heavy-particle width Γ′dα of the Ex = 3.562 MeV state in 6Li

Alpha-particle capture by deuterium has been investigated at excitation energies in ⁶Li close to the J^π = 0⁺, T = 1, E_x, = 3.562 MeV state. A search for resonance γ-rays from this state has yielded a negative result and an upper limit for the heavy-particle width Γ′_dα ≦ 0.017 eV.     

Excitation of anomalous α-14C resonances in the inelastic scattering of 18O on a 12C target

Two broad resonances at 9.33 MeV and 9.65 MeV are observed in the inelastic excitation of ¹⁸O on a ¹²C target at a laboratory energy of 82 MeV. The α-decay of these states has been measured. A coherent sum of J^π = 2⁺ and 3^? is required to fit the correlations. The structure of these states and the excitation mechanism is discussed.