States inN=80140Nd populated in the decay of140Pm

The level structure of theN=80,¹⁴⁰Nd has been investigated through the beta decay of^140m Pm and^140g Pm, whose decay half-lives were measured to be 5.95±0.05 min and 9.1±0.5 sec, respectively. Decay schemes for the two isomers have been constructed fromγ-ray measurements. With the help of the beta decayft values and internal conversion electron measurements, spins and parities were deduced for levels in¹⁴⁰Nd. Among the levels a 7^? state at 2222.0 keV and a 5^? state at 2273.3 keV are identified as two-neutron quasiparticle states. The (ie233-01) for^140m Pm and^140g Pm have been deduced as 7^? and 1⁺, respectively. From beta end-point measurements, the decay energies of the two isomers have been determined asQ _EC=6.48±0.07 MeV^140m (Pm) andQ _EC=6.08±0.10 MeV (^140gPm). The results are discussed in the light of nuclear systematics of theN=79 and 80 isotones.     

The beta decay of90g Tc and90m Tc

The level structure of⁹⁰Mo is investigated via the beta decay of^90g Tc and^90m Tc whose half-lives are measured to be 8.7±0.2 and 49.2±0.4 s, respectively. The decay properties are studied by means of beta and gamma spectroscopy techniques. The level structure of⁹⁰Mo populated in the decays of both isomers is proposed with deducedJ ^π values. Theβ-decay energies for^90g Tc and^90m Tc are 8.8±0.3 and 9.3±0.3 MeV, respectively. The structure is discussed in terms of the shell model.     

The beta decay of88gNb and88mNb

The level structure of⁸⁸Zr is investigated via the beta decay of^88g Nb and^88m Nb whose half-lives are measured to be 14.4±0.2 m and 7.7±0.1 m, respectively. The decay properties are studied by means of beta and gamma spectroscopy techniques. The level structure of⁸⁸Zr populated in the decays of both isomers is proposed with deducedJ ^π values. Theβ-decay energies for^88g Nb and^88m Nb are measured to be 7.55±0.10 and 7.59±0.10 MeV, respectively. The structure is discussed in terms of the shell model.     

Decay properties of139mSm and139Eu

The structure of¹³⁹Sm is investigated through the decay properties of^139mSm and¹³⁹Eu. The decay of^139mSm is measured to have a half-life of (10.7±0.6) s. Gamma-ray and internal conversion electron measurements lead to the construction of a decay pattern comprising seven transitions among five states. The decay of¹³⁹Eu with a measured half-life of (17.9± 0.6) s is studied with beta decay spectroscopy techniques. A decay scheme consisting fourteen states in¹³⁹Sm is proposed. Using deducedft values and transition multipolarities,J ^ρ assignments are made. Nuclear systematics of the odd-A, N=77 and 76 are discussed.     

States inN=79142Eu populated in the decay of142Gd

The structure of¹⁴²Eu is investigated through the beta decay of¹⁴²Gd, whose decay half-life is measured to be (69.1±1.0) s. A level scheme comprising 42 transitions depopulating 18 excited states is constructed. With the help of the deduced ft values and measured internal conversion coefficients, spin-parity assignments are proposed for several states in¹⁴²Eu. The level systematics of the doubly odd,N=79 isotones are 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.     

Structure of even-even138Nd from the decay of138Pm

The structure of¹³⁸Nd is investigated through theβ ⁺-decay of¹³⁸Pm, whose decay half-life is measured to be 3.24±0.05 min. A level structure comprising 27 excited states and 52 transitions is constructed. With the help of deducedft values and internal conversion coefficients, spin-parity assignments are made to many states in¹³⁸Nd and to the ground states of¹³⁸Pm. From the positron end-point energy measurement, the total decay energy is determined to be 5.4±0.2 MeV, which is compared with the predictions of several mass formulae and with the decay energy systematics of theN=77 isotones. The structure of¹³⁸Nd is discussed in the light of nuclear systematics of theN=78 isotones.     

Der Zerfall des 1,5 min-Isomers Co54m

Co^54m (T _1/2=1.43 min) was produced in iron-foils by irradiation with_dE=19 MeV deuterons. The gamma ray spectrum was investigated using a NaJ(Tl) scintillation spectrometer, a coincidence circuit and a Ge(Li)-counter. There were observed three gamma rays having the following energies and intensities per Co_54m decay: 411 keV (0.97±0.07), 1130keV (0.98±0.05), 1407 keV (1.00±0.05). The directional correlation between the pairs of gamma rays were determined. These results correspond to spin and parityJ _π=2⁺ for the 1407 keV,J _π=4⁺ for the 2537 keV, andJ _π=6⁺ for the 2948 keV energy level of Fe⁵⁴. The last-mentioned level was not excited in previous scattering experiments. Our results are compatible withE=210keV andJ _π=6⁺ or 7⁺ of the isomeric state of Co^54m .     

Structure of69Ge

The beta decay of⁶⁹As is reinvestigated. Its decay half-life is measured to be 15.1±0.3 m. Using beta, gamma and conversion electron spectroscopy techniques, a decay scheme comprising 68 transitions among 28 excited states in⁶⁹Ge is proposed. Spin-parity assignments are made to many states andB(M1) andB(E2) are deduced for some transitions. The structure thus obtained for⁶⁹Ge is compared with that from other works and discussed in the light of nuclear models.     

Structure of N=81144Eu from the decay of144Gd

The structure of¹⁴⁴Eu is investigated through the beta decay of¹⁴⁴Gd, whose decay half-life is measured to be (4.47±0.06) m. A level scheme comprising 67 transitions depopulating 24 excited states is constructed. With the help of the deducedf t values and measured internal conversion coefficients, spin-parity assignments are proposed for several states in¹⁴⁴Eu. This level structure is discussed using the systematics of the odd-A N=81 and N=82 isotones which are investigated by a spherical BCS calculation.     

Der Zerfall des125m Xe,des127m Xe und des127g Xe

The decay of^125m Xe produced by the reaction¹²²Te(α, n)^125m Xe using a target enriched in¹²²Te (95.4%) and the decay of^127m Xe produced by the reaction¹²⁷J(d, 2n)^127m Xe have been investigated: ^125m Xe decays with a half-life ofT _1/2=(56±3) sec by ayy- cascade withE _γ1=(140.4 ±0.5) keV andE _γ2=(110.5 ±0.5) keV. The experimental conversion coefficients yield multipolarities ofE3 for the 140.4 keV isomeric transition and predominantlyM1 for the 110.5 keV-transition. ^127m Xe decays with a half-life ofT _1/2=(71±2) sec. The decay also proceeds by aγγ-cascade with an isomeric E3 transition ofE _γ1=(172.5±0.3) keV and a predominantlyM1 transition ofE _γ2=(124.6±0.3) keV. In the decay of^127g Xe an additional branching of the electron capture to a level at (618.1±0.3) keV was observed. The relative probability forK-captureP _K618/P_K375=0.40 ±0.07 yields a total transition energyQ _EC=(664 ±4)keV. A spin of 1/2⁺ was assigned to the ground state.     

The low-lying states and configurations in138La

Tritons from the reaction¹³⁹La(d, t)¹³⁸La atE _d=16 MeV were analyzed at eleven reaction angles from 22 ° to 90 ° with a broad-range magnetic spectrograph. TheQ-value of the reaction is ?2522±5 keV. The nine lowest-lying states in¹³⁸La are interpreted in terms of the shell model configurations (πg _7/2)^?1 (vd _3/2)^?1, (πg _7/2)^?1 (vs _1/2)^?1 and (πg _7/2)^?2 (πd _5/2)^?1(vd _3/2)^?1. Seven levels in the energy range of 700–1300 keV are populated byl=5 transitions and are interpreted as coming from the (πg _7/2)^?1(vh _11/2)^?1 configuration. The ground state of¹³⁸La is shown to haveJ ^π=5⁺. Therefore, beta decay by unique second-forbidden transitions to the 2⁺ one-phonon states of¹³⁸Ce and¹³⁸Ba must be inferred in spite of unusually high logft values of 19.2 and 18.5, respectively.     

The decay of93g Ru,93m Ru,91g Mo,91m Mo,91g Tc and91m Tc

Decay studies on a number of short-lived odd nuclei in theN=50 region are described. The 59.6-s ⁹³Ru ground state decay was studied in detail for the first time; in these experiments the 10.8-s activity^93m Ru was discovered. The⁹¹Tc activities were also observed for the first time. The ground state and an isomeric state of this nucleus decay with nearby equal half-lives (3.14 and 3.3-min). The activities^91g Mo (16.6-min) and^95m Mo (65.1-s) have been reinvestigated. A number ofγ-rays, previously erroneously assigned to the⁹¹Mo activities, could be eliminated. A strong similarity is noted for the decay schemes of theN=49 isotones^91m Mo and^93m Ru. The energy of the 1/2^? isomeric state in⁹³Ru and theB(M4)-value of the isomeric transition fit well into the systematics of the previously knownN=49 isotones.     

The decay of115 mIn

The decay of^115m In has been investigated using accurate counting methods. The emission rate of conversion electrons plusβ ^?-particles was determined with a 4π proportional flow counter. The total andK-shell internal conversion coefficients of the 336 keVγ-ray in¹¹⁵In were measured by the electron X-ray coincidence method using combinations of a Si surface barrier with a NaI(Tl) detector and of a magneticβ-spectrometer with a high energy resolution Si(Li) detector, respectively. The conversion ratioR=K/(L+M+...) was deduced from electron spectra recorded with the magneticβ-spectrometer. The 336 keVγ-ray emission rate of all used sources was determined with a calibrated NaI(Tl)γ-ray spectrometer. A Ge(Li) detector has been used to determine the relative intensity of the 497 keVγ-ray in¹¹⁵Sn. As results have been deduced the 336 keVγ-ray emission per decay (N _γ1/N ₀=(45.9 ± 0.1)%), the total internal conversion coefficient (α=1.073 ± 0.014), theK-shell internal conversion coefficient (α _K=0.843±0.012), the conversion ratioR=3.63±0.07, theβ ^?-transition per decay going to the ground state (N _β1/N ₀=(5.0 ± 0.7)%) and to the first excited level in¹¹⁵Sn¹¹⁵Sn(N _β2/N ₀=(0.047 ± 0.002)%), and the 497 keVγ-ray emission (N _γ2/N _γ1=(0.103 ± 0.004)%). From the obtained internal conversion data it follows that the 336 keVγ-ray transition is ofM4 character with anE5 admixture of less than (3.5±1.5)%. The half-life of the isomeric state¹¹⁵ mIn has been determined with four different methods. The result isT _1/2=(4.486±0.004) h.     

The decay of 26-s 94Rh and 71-s 94Rh isomers

The structure of⁹⁴Ru is investigated through the beta decay of two isomers of⁹⁴Rh, and whose half-lives are measured to be 25.8±0.2 s and 70.6±0.6 s respectively. The decay properties are studied by means of beta and gamma spectroscopy techniques. The level structure of⁹⁴Ru populated in the decays of both isomers is proposed with deducedJ ^π values. Theβ-decay energy for71-s ⁹⁴Rh is measured to be 10.0±0.4 MeV. The structure is discussed in terms of shell model.     

Deformed states of high spin in42Ca

The⁴²Ca levels at 4,715 and 6,633 keV excitation energy have been investigated using the³⁹ K(α,pγ reaction atE _α=14 and 15 MeV. From particle-γ-ray angular correlations the spin assignmentsJ(4,715)=6, 4 andJ(6,633)=8, 6, 4 have been obtained. Lifetime measurements using the Doppler-shift attenuation method yieldedτ (4,715)=120±46 fs andτ(6,633)=52±21 fs. Both levels have positive parity and decay by enhancedE2 transitions. They are interpreted as theJ ^π=6⁺ and 8⁺ members, respectively, of theK ^π=0⁺ rotational band which has theE _x =1,837, 2,423 and 3,250 keV states as further members. The enhancement of inbandE2 transitions is 50 _?16 ⁺³⁵ W.u. (6→4) and 63 W.u. (8→6) respectively. The intrinsic quadrupole moments which have been derived on the basis of the coexistence model, areQ ₀=1.13?0.16/+0.37b(8→6) andQ ₀=1.36±0.25b(6→4), respectively. TheJ ^π=10⁺ member of the rotational band has possibly been observed as a level at 8,856±5 keV excitation energy.     

Excitation of isomeric 1h 11/2 states in nuclear reactions induced by γ rays and neutrons and in beta decay

Isomeric ratios were measured for N=81 isotones (¹³⁵Xe, ¹³⁷Ba, ¹³⁹Ce, ¹⁴¹Nd, ¹⁴³Sm). In the experiment reported here, μ _ν ≤3±10^? J ^π=11/2^? isomers were excited in (n, γ) and (γ, n) reactions and in the β ⁺ decay of ¹³⁹Pr and ¹⁴¹Pm. In order to determine the reaction yields, use was made of the activation method involving measurement of the gamma-ray spectra of reaction products. It is found that, in the same reactions, isomeric ratios are different for isotones characterized by different atomic numbers Z. Isomeric ratios were calculated with the spectra of low-lying levels and radiative-transition probabilities established on the basis of the quasiparticle-phonon model. Good agreement between the experimental and calculated values of isomeric ratios is obtained for all isotopes invesigated here. The dependence of isomeric ratios on the atomic number Z of a nucleus is explained by the difference of reaction energies, which leads to different probabilities of excitation of activation levels through which the isomers being considered are populated.     

The internal conversion of theN=81 Isotones139m Ce and141m Nd

A rapid gas-jet system was used for preparation ofβ ^?-samples of^139m Ce and^141m Nd. Conversion electrons and photons were detected simultaneously with absolutely calibrated detectors. Conversion coefficientsα _K = 0.0732±0.0023 andα _K=0.0824±0.0029, conversion ratiosK/L+...= 4.68±0.20 andK/L+...=4.58±0.23 were measured for^139m Ce, and^141m Nd, respectively. The calculated M4 values of Hager and Seltzer, and Dragoun et al. were confirmed within the experimental accuracy.     

Decay of194Os andL 1 subshell yields atZ=77

The relative intensities of x rays and gammas emitted in the beta decay of¹⁹⁴Os are measured. No evidence for the feeding of a level at 83 keV in¹⁹⁴Ir is found. An upper limit of 1.7×10^?4 was set for theK shell internal ionization probability in the beta decay to the ground state of¹⁹⁴Ir. TheL-conversion coefficient of 43 keV transition is found to be 12.1 and the transition is mainly ofM1 type with an admixture of 1.3%E2 type. TheL ₁ subshell yields atZ=77 are determined to beω ₁=0.16±0.04,f ₁₂=0.11±0.04 andf ₁₃=0.37±0.03.     

139Sm,a new nuclide of relevance for the systematics of theN=77 isomers

The ground state and an isomeric state of¹³⁹Sm have been identified witht _1/2 ^m =9.5 ± 1.0 s andt _1/2 ^g =2.6 ± 0.3 min. The isomeric decay scheme is presented. It extends the chain of isomers withN=77. The distance between thed _3/2 andh _11/2-levels reaches a maximum forZ=60. This maximum is much more pronounced than expected from previous theoretical considerations and from systematic trends in theN=81 and 79 chains.