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.     

Rotational sidebands in 166Er

Rotational sidebands in ¹⁶⁶Er were observed using the 24 MeV ¹⁶⁴Dy(α, 2nγ) reactions. The ground-state band was observed up to spin 16⁺ and does not backbend. A strong backbend is, however, observed in a K^π = (O⁺) sideband, indicating that the 12⁺ state of the previously unknown S-band is at 2656 keV. The γ-band shows significant rotational alignment above I = 10⁺. Levels of at least two negative-parity bands, one of which is primarily the K^π = 2^? octupole vibration, are also observed.     

Structural connections between 148Sm and 149Sm nuclei

The ^{146, 148}Nd(α, χn) and ^{148, 150}Nd(³He, χn) reactions at E_α = 20–43 MeV and E_3He = 19–27 MeV, are used to study excited states in the ¹⁴⁹Sm₈₆ and ¹⁴⁹Sm₈₇ nucleides and consequently the low-spin odd-parity excitation. The mixing ratios and multipolarities of the most prominent transitions are deduced from the combined evidence of angular distribution and electron conversion data. The spin-parity assignments for most of the levels observed are established. In ¹⁴⁸Sm the ground state band extending to I^π = 10⁺ is predominantly populated. A negative-parity odd-spin band extending from I^π = 3^?through 11^? is also observed. The bands in ¹⁴⁸Sm are interpreted within the framework of the interacting boson approximation model. In ¹⁴⁹Sm positive-parity levels with spin up to $\text{25}\text{2}$ and negative-parity levels with spins up to $\text{21}\text{2}$ are observed. The predominant γ-decay proceeds via transitions associated with $\text{i}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>13</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$, $\text{h}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>9</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$, $\text{f}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>7</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ and $\text{h}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>11</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ intrinsic configurations. The branching ratios B(E1)/B(E2) are calculated and compared in both ¹⁴⁸Sm and ¹⁴⁹Sm nucleides. The B(E1)/B(E2) dependence on the value of Z for some N = 86 (as well as 88 and 84) isotones showing a minimum of Z = 64 was noted. A 4 ns high-spin isomer mainly decaying into the positive-parity band based on the $\text{i}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>13</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ state in ¹⁴⁹Sm is found. Experimental evidence is presented to interprete the $\text{1}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$, $\text{15}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$, … and $\text{9}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$, $\text{13}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$, …, ΔI = 2, sequences in ¹⁴⁹Sm as arising from the coupling of an $\text{h}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>9</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ neutron to the octupole and quadrupole modes of the ¹⁴⁸Sm core nucleus. The absolute reaction cross sections for the ^{146, 148, 150}Nd(³He, χn) reactions have been determined for different bombarding energies. The mixing of the $\text{f}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>7</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ and $\text{h}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>9</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ shells is discussed in the framework of an axial-particle-rotor model calculation.     

On the decay of the photo resonance in 14N and 14C nuclei

The decay of the photo resonances in ¹⁴N and ¹⁴C nuclei is analyzed in terms of the shell model with intermediate coupling. Cross sections and branching ratios of nucleon channels are compared with experimental data. Successive decay branches are estimated.     

Quasi-fission and other strongly damped collisions between 63Cu ions and 197Au nuclei

The interaction of ⁶³Cu ions with ¹⁹⁷Au nuclei have been studied experimentally at incident energies of 365 and 443 MeV (1.1 and 1.4 times the Coulomb barrier). Mass and kinetic energy distributions of reaction products have been measured at several angles. Near the grazing angle, a continuous transition was found from elastic events to partially damped (PD) events, and to fully damped events (quasi-fission, QF). Away from the grazing angle a clean separation between elastic and QF events was observed. Events that may be due to fission following fusion (CF) were also obtained. Results are discussed in terms of decomposition into PD, QF, and CF components. The QF kinetic energy is independent of the incident energy (implying full damping of the initial relative motion). It is lower than the Coulomb barrier and close to the kinetic energies from the fission of similar systems. The angular distribution is peaked somewhat forward of the grazing angle for low mass transfers. For large mass transfers the yield increases slowly with decreasing angle. At 443 MeV a large contribution from negative angles is present. σ_QF accounts for more than 65 % of the reaction cross section σ_R at 443 MeV and for more than 50 % at 365 MeV. The upper limit on CF is about 10 % of σ_R, and σ_PDis of the order of 25 % of σ_R.     

Electron scattemng studies of 184W and 186W

Anomalous results obtained in recent electron-nucleus scattering experiments suggest that a dispersion correction may contribute significantly to elastic cross sections in the region of the first diffraction minimum. Such a dispersion correction describes the effect of possible virtual nuclear excitations neglected in the conventional phase-shift analyses of electron scattering data. To investigate these effects, the Yale University electron accelerator has been used to study the scattering from ¹⁸⁴W and ¹⁸⁶W at incident energies between 40 and 65 MeV and scattering angles between 70° and 150°. No evidence of a dispersion effect is seen in the nucleus ¹⁸⁶W. In the case of ¹⁸⁴W, a comparison of the measured cross sections with those expected on the basis of the results of muonic X-ray experiments indicates that any dispersive effect is limited to less than 10% in the region of the first diffraction minimum. A summary of the results of this laboratory's search for dispersion effects in Nd, Sm, and W is appended.     

Breakup process for 100 MeV 3He interacting with 165Ho and 166, 167Er nuclei

The projectile breakup process for 100 MeV ³He interacting with ¹⁶⁵Ho and ^{166, 167}Er nuclei was studied by measuring singles and coincidence spectra of the breakup fragments and following γ-rays. By comparing the data of the ³He-induced reaction with those of the α-induced reaction, the breakup process was found to make a large contribution to the charged-particle spectra of the ³He-induced reaction. Contributions of the elastic breakup, inelastic breakup, and breakup fusion processes were deduced individually from the particle-γ coincidence measurements.     

Neutron and proton alignment at high spin in 168W

Excited states in the neutron-deficient nucleus ¹⁶⁸W, populated in the ¹⁴⁸Sm(²⁴Mg, 4n)¹⁶⁸W reaction, have been studied using γ-ray spectroscopy. The yrast band, which is identified up to about spin 28, shows a very strong backbend at low frequency, $\text{h}\text{?}\text{ω}{}_{\mathrm{c}}\text{= 0.235}\text{MeV}$, attributed to the $\text{(i}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>13</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{)}{}^2$ neutron alignment. Evidence for a second backbend is also observed. A strongly populated odd-spin (probably negative-parity) sideband is also identified to the spin, and shows several band-crossing anomalies. The characterisation of the anomalies is made by comparison with CSM calculations. Proton and neutron alignments are probably present in the sideband, and the second backbend in the yrast sequence may be due to alignment of $\text{i}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>13</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ protons.     

Investigation of α-particle emission from the interactions of fast neutrons with 161Dy and 163Dy nuclei

The energy spectra of α-particles emitted in the ¹⁶¹Dy(n, α)¹⁶¹Gd and ¹⁶³Dy(n,α)¹⁶⁰Gd reactions have been measured at neutron energies equal to 14.1 and 18.2 MeV. The results have been analysed in terms of Hauser-Feshbach, pre-equilibrium and knock-on models. The experimental data can be described assuming the existence of preformed α-clusters in target nuclei and the processes involving only few degrees of freedom.     

Scattering and reactions of 14C + 14C and 14C + 14C

We have studied elastic scattering, inelastic scattering and several transfer channels of the systems ¹⁴C + ¹⁴C and ¹⁴C + ¹²C over a wide range of energies up to E_c.m. = 35 eMeV and 32 MeV, respectively. The reaction channels were identified by means of kinematic coincidences between solid-state detectors, γγ coincidences were measured to determine cross sections for mutual inelastic scattering of ¹⁴C + ¹⁴C.Pronounced regular gross structures, similar to those found for ¹⁶O + ¹⁶O, are observed in the elastic excitation function of ¹⁴C + ¹⁴C at θ_c.m. = 90°, The angular distributions measured at the energies of the maxima and an optical-model analysis suggest that one or a few surface partial waves dominate the scattering behaviour. Correlated structure of narrower width is found in the inelastic channels and, to a lesser degree, in the transfer channels which appear with rather small cross sections.In ¹⁴C + ¹²C elastic scattering the gross structures are strongly fragmented, in contrast to ¹⁴C + ¹⁴C but similar to ¹²C + ¹²C. While the ¹²C(2⁺) excitation is very weak, the observed strengths of the ¹⁴C(3^?) excitation and of neutron transfer point to a substantial role of these channels as coupling partners to the elastic configuration and to their influence on the elastic scattering behaviour. A correlated intermediate structure is observed near 23.5 MeV, where a dominance of l = 18 is suggested by the elastic scattering angular distribution. This unexpectedly high l-value exceeds l_graz at this energy by at least two units of ?.     

The (γ, p0) reactions in the giant dipole resonance region of 51V and 52Cr nuclei

The differential cross sections at 90° for the ⁵¹V(e, p₀)⁵⁰Ti and ⁵²Cr(e, p₀ + p₁)⁵¹V reactions have been measured over the giant dipole resonance region. These cross sections were used to obtain the differential cross sections of the ⁵¹V(γ, p₀)⁵⁰Ti and ⁵²Cr(γ, p₀ + p₁)⁵¹V reactions. The results show two peaks that appear at the same energies as the main peaks of the (γ, n) and (γ, p) cross section for both nuclei. The angular distributions of protons from the (e, p) reaction have also been measured at several points of the incident electron energy. The coefficients A₂ obtained by fitting with a series of Legendre polynomials, W(θ) = 1 + A₁P₁(cos θ)+A₂P₂(cos θ), varies with excitation energy. These results are discussed in terms of the direct-semidirect process considering isospin effects in the giant dipole resonance.     

Coupled-channel fusion and inelastic scattering calculations for 18O + 44Ca and 12C + 48Ti

Fusion and inelastic scattering coupled-channel calculations are carried out for the systems ¹⁸O + ⁴⁴Ca and ¹²C + ⁴⁸Ti. Comparison between ¹²C + ⁴⁸Ti and ³²S + ²⁴Mg sub-barrier fusion cross-section enhancement is made using simple analytical expressions. The distribution of the angular momentum absorbed by the compound nucleus is discussed in a quantum-mechanical coupled-channel model.     

Energy dependence of the 24Mg(16O, 12C)28Si reaction

Excitation functions for the reaction ²⁴Mg(¹⁶O, ¹²C)²⁸Si(g.s., 2⁺₁) were measured at 5°(lab) in the energy range 32 < E_c.m. < 49 MeV. Although the resonant structure, previously observed at lower energies, becomes progressively weaker, three new correlated maxima have been observed near E_c.m. = 37.5, 40.2 and 43.5 MeV. Angular distribution measurements at these energies yield spin assignments, from P²_j(cos θ) comparisons, of 27, 29 and 31, respectively. Attempts to find a consistent optical-model fit to the elastic scattering in the entrance channel and an exact finite-range DWBA fit to the four-nucleon transfer reaction in this energy range were unsuccessful. Such a failure is to be expected if strong couplings between the elastic channel and inelastic channels of either the initial or final system are important. The features of the resonance phenomena in the transfer reaction are discussed within a band crossing model framework.     

Neutron-induced charged-particle reactions in 6Li and 9Be

Angular distributions of tritons from the ⁶Li(n, t)⁴He reaction were measured at E_n = 7.25, 6.77, 6.57, 5.24 and 4.71 MeV. Angular distributions of douterons from respectively, the ⁶Li(n, d)⁵He two-body breakup reaction were measured at E_n = 6.77 and 6.57 MeV, and of protons from the ⁶Li(n, p)⁶He reaction at E_n = 6.77, 5.24 and 4.71 MeV. All these reactions in ⁶Li were analyzed as direct interaction in the formalism of the distorted wave Born approximation. The optical model for the nuclear interaction was found to apply reasonably well to nuclei as light as ⁴He, ⁵He, ⁶He and ⁶Li. In addition, ⁶Li as an alpha-deuteron cluster gives the best bound-state wave function to describe the experimental angular distribution of tritons. The excitation functions at forward angles of the ⁶Li(n, t)⁴He, ⁶Li(n, d)⁵He and ⁶Li(n, p)⁶He reactions were measured for incident neutron energies between 4.4 and 7.3 MeV. It is found that the ⁶Li(n, d)⁵He two-body breakup reaction has a threshold at about E_n = 5.3 MeV. Angular distributions at E_n = 18.3 MeV for tritons and protons from the ⁹Be(n, t)⁷Li and ⁹Be(n, p)⁹Li, respectively, were also measured.     

The reaction 14C(3He,n)16O and the coexistence model of 16O

The reaction ¹⁴C(³He, n)¹⁶O has been measured at a ³He bombarding energy of 25.4 MeV. The zero-degree differential cross section for the excitation of the three low lying 0⁺T = 0 states, at energies 0.0, 6.05 and 12.05 MeV are, respectively, 1.33 ± 0.10, 0.49 ± 0.10, and 0.50 ± 0.10 mb/sr These measured cross sections are in rough agreement with single-step zero-range DWBA calculations using an empirically determined ¹⁴C ground state wave function and in which the Brown and Green coexistence-model wave functions are used to describe the ¹⁶O 0⁺ states. The angular distribution of the transition to the ground state is measured between 0° and 32°.     

The (3He,n) reaction on 16O and 18O

The (³He, n) reaction on ¹⁶O and ¹⁸O has been used to study low-spin states in ¹⁸Ne and ²⁰Ne up to E_x ≈ 8 and 20 MeV, respectively. The measured neutron angular distributions have been analysed using DWBA. By a comparison with shell-model calculations in the (s, d) shell it is found that most of the two-proton transfer strength can be explained within that shell. Important contributions, however, from the (f, p) shell in low-lying negative parity states are also present.     

194Pt(12C, 12C′) reaction and the triaxial-rotor model

Elastic and inelastic scattering differential cross sections for the ¹⁹⁴Pt(¹²C, ¹²C′) reaction at a bombarding energy of 78 MeV have been measured. Data have been obtained for 0⁺, 2⁺, 4⁺, and 2^+′, states in ¹⁹⁴Pt. The data have been analyzed using a rigid asymmetric-rotor model in coupled-channels reaction calculations. It is found that satisfactory fits to all data can be obtained but only if the hexadecapole deformation is included in the asymmetric-rotor model.     

Study of 20Ne(3He,n)22Mg at 3He energies between 2.6 and 4.0 MeV

The ²⁰Ne(³He, n) reaction leading to the ground state of ²²Mg has been investigated in the ³He⁺ energy range of 2.6 to 4.0 MeV. Angular distributions were determined with a neutron time-of-flight spectrometer at average incident energies (lab) of 3.27, 3.69, and 4.01 MeV between 0° and 120° (lab). Excitation functions for the energy region were measured at 0° and 80° (lab). The observed differential cross sections are explained by coherent contributions from direct interaction and compound-nucleus formation. A spectroscopic factor was extracted for the DWBA calculation from the absolute cross-section measurements and found to be $\text{? = 0.43±0.21}$. Resonances in the compound-nucleus formation were found at 3.00 and 3.33 MeV (c.m.) with widths of 0.28 and 0.21 MeV and spins of $\text{5}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{and}\text{1}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$, respectively.     

Cross-section measurements and thermonuclear reaction rates for 46Ti(p, γ)47V, 47Ti(p, γ)48V, 47Ti(p,n)47V and 48Ti(p, γ)49V

The yield of γ-rays from the reaction ⁴⁶Ti(p, γ)⁴⁷V has been measured as a function of bombarding energy over the range 0.72–3.00 MeV, from ⁴⁷Ti(p, γ)⁴⁸V over the range 0.74–3.50 MeV, and from ⁴⁸Ti(p, γ)⁴⁹V over the range 0.72–4.40 MeV. The yields of γ-rays following (p, p') reactions on all three targets were also measured and (p, p') cross sections were deduced for the first excited state proton groups for ⁴⁶Ti and ⁴⁸Ti and for the first ten proton groups for ⁴⁷Ti. The yield of neutrons from the reaction ⁴⁷Ti(p, n)⁴⁷V has been measured over the range from threshold to 4.40 MeV. All these data are compared with statistical-model calculations, and good agreement is achieved. Thermonuclear reaction rates for the (p, γ) and (p, n) reactions are calculated for the temperature range 5 × 10⁸–10¹⁰ K which includes the range of temperatures of interest in nucleosysnthesis calculations.     

A study of the 14C(6Li, 6He)14N reaction at 93 MeV

The reaction ¹⁴C(⁶Li, ⁶He)¹⁴N was investigated with 93 MeV ⁶Li ions in an angular interval of 7–26°. Angular distributions were analysed for the four most intense groups of ⁶He nuclei, corresponding to transitions to the ground (1₁⁺) and the excited (1₂⁺, 2₁^?, 4₁^?) states of ¹⁴N. In the theoretical analysis a mechanism of the spin-isospin excitation was suggested in the DWBA frame with the finite range of interaction and recoil in the light system (⁶Li⁶He) taken into account. In the calculations both shell-model wave functions and transition densities obtained in the theory of finite Fermi systems (FFS) were used. From the comparison between theory and experiment the Landau-Migdal force constant g′ is estimated in order to obtain some information on the degree of nuclear proximity to the threshold of pion condensation.