New high-spin microsecond isomers in 131Sb

In this work we have identified and studied the decay of two new microsecond isomers 19/2^- and 23/2⁺ in ¹³¹Sb. This neutron-rich nucleus was produced by thermal neutron-induced fission of ²⁴¹Pu. The detection is based on time correlation between fission fragments selected by the LOHENGRIN spectrometer at ILL (Grenoble) and the γ-rays or conversion electrons from isomers. These new data on high-spin states complete the level scheme previously obtained from β-decay. A large fraction of the members of the πg _7/2ν(h _11/2 ^-1 d _3/2 ^-1) and πg _7/2νh _11/2 ^-2 multiplets are now known and were compared with a multi-particle shell model calculation. Received: 7 June 2000 / Accepted: 19 September 2000     

On the nature of the 17 μs isomer of the <Superscript>133</Superscript>Sb valence nucleus

The decay of the 17 μs isomer of ¹³³Sb was re-investigated experimentally. It was produced by thermal neutron induced fission of ²⁴¹Pu. Its detection is based on time correlation between fission fragments selected by the LOHENGRIN spectrometer at ILL (Grenoble), and the γ-rays, and conversion electrons from the isomer. The interpretation of the level scheme is based on shell model calculations, where empirical two-body matrix elements were employed. The good agreement between theory and experiment suggests that the isomer is the 21/2⁺ member of the 2p-1h πg _7/2ν(f _7/2 h _11/2 ⁻¹) configuration. Received: 20 January 2000 / Revised version: 28 February 2000     

Recoil distance half-life measurements of the excited states in 145Sm

A recoil distance method was used to measure half-lives of the excited states of ₁₄₅Sm. The reaction used was ₁₃₉La(₁₀B, 4n)₁₄₅Sm. A plunger system was used. Half-lives were determined for two excited states for the first time. The yrast 27/2₊ state was found to have a half-life of 1.1 ± 0.2 ns corresponding to the retardation of 3.1 × 10₋₄ comparing with the single particle estimate of M1. The excitation energy of this state was well reproduced by the shell model calculation having a mixed configuration of [π{h^11/2(g^7/2)₋₂ (d^5/2)₋₁}¹⁰⁻, νf^7/2] + [π{h^11/2(g^7/2)₋₁}⁹⁻,νh^9/2]. Another retarded E1 transition was also found in a decay of a 21/2₊ state. Its retardation was 1.6 × 10₋₄ comparing with the single particle value. Received: 9 September 1997 / Revised version: 12 June 1998     

Quadrupole moment measurement of the highly deformed πg 9/2⊗νh 11/2 band in 130Pr

The quadrupole moment for the πg _9/2⊗νh _11/2 band in the ^130>Pr nucleus has been measured using the Doppler-shift attenuation method. A centroid shift analysis was carried out and a value of Q₀=6.1±0.4 eb, corresponding to an axial prolate deformation of β₂=0.35(3), has been determined. This is the first direct experimental confirmation of the deformation-driving character of the πg _9/2 orbital in an odd-odd nucleus in the A≃135 superdeformed region. Received: 23 April 1998     

High-spin states in odd-odd 168Lu

High-spin states in the odd-odd ¹⁶⁸Lu nucleus, populated in the ¹⁵⁴Sm(¹⁹F,5n) reaction at a beam energy of 96 MeV, were investigated using in-beam γ-ray spectroscopy techniques. The BC neutron crossing in the yrast band, based on πg _7/2[404]7/2⁺⊗νi _13/2[642]5/2⁺ configuration, occurs at ħω= 0.31 MeV. The two side bands, based on πh _11/2[514]9/2⁻⊗νi _13/2[642]5/2⁺ and πh _9/2[541]1/2⁻⊗νi _13/2[642]5/2⁺ configurations, show anomalous signature-splitting and signature-inversion in the first one, to occur at ħω= 0.24 MeV. A moderately delayed BC-crossing is anticipated in the second one. Received: 15 June 1998 / Revised version: 11 January 1999     

Rotational bands in the doubly odd 130Cs nucleus

The band structures built on the 5^- isomeric state ( T _1/2 = 3.46 m) in the doubly odd ¹³⁰Cs nucleus have been established up to I = 24? via the ¹²⁴Sn(¹¹B, 5n)¹³⁰Cs reaction. The previously observed bands based on the πh _11/2⊗νh _11/2, πg _7/2⊗νh _11/2 and πd _5/2⊗νh _11/2 configurations and a positive-parity side band with multiple connections to the α = 0 signature partner of the yrast πh _11/2⊗νh _11/2 band have been extended to higher spins. A new band based on the πh _11/2⊗νg _7/2 configuration is observed. The yrast πh _11/2⊗νh _11/2 band exhibits anomalous signature splitting whose magnitude decreases up to spin 15 and then increases without restoring the normal signature splitting. Received: 20 February 2001 / Accepted: 9 May 2001     

The low-spin structure of <Superscript>115</Superscript>Xe

The low-spin band structure of neutron-deficient ¹¹⁵ ₅₄Xe has been studied following a low-energy (212.3 MeV) ⁶⁰Ni(⁵⁸Ni,2pnγ) reaction performed at IReS, Strasbourg, with the Garel⁺ spectrometer. The relative excitation energies of νh_11/2 (isomeric), νg_7/2, and νd_5/2 bandheads have been established. Received: 23 March 2000     

Level structure of 99Rh at high spins

High spins states in ⁹⁹Rh were populated via the ⁶⁶Zn(³⁷Cl, 2p2n)⁹⁹Rh reaction at an incident beam energy of 130 MeV. Seventeen new transitions have been observed in the present study and the level scheme has now been extended up to a spin of J∼ 25ħ and an excitation energy of about E _x∼ 10 MeV. The observation of a positive parity E2 cascade based on the 9/2⁺ isomeric level is suggestive of collective behaviour in this nucleus up to high spins. Spherical shell model (within restricted model space) and Cranked shell model calculations were performed to obtain an insight into the observed level structure. The new collective band observed up to a spin of J∼ 25ħ is suggested to be based on (πg _9/2 ³) ⊗ (νg _7/2 ²) quasi-particle excitations. Received: 12 July 1999 / Revised version: 14 September 1999     

Rotational bands in 181Ta

High-spin states in ¹⁸¹Ta have been studied via the ¹⁷⁶Yb(¹¹B,α2n) reaction at 52 MeV using the PEX array and at 57 MeV using the NORDBALL array, with α-particle detection. The previously known, K^π=(7/2)⁺ ground state band and K^π=(9/2)⁻ band have been extended to spins (29/2)⁺ and (31/2)⁻, respectively. Two new one-quasiparticle bands, the K^π=(5/2)⁺ band built on the known (5/2)⁺ isomer and a K^π=((1/2)⁻) band have been observed. Two other rotational bands with three-quasiparticle structure, K^π=(15/2)⁻ and ((19/2)⁺ with π(7/2)[404]ν²(1/2)[510](9/2)[624] and π(9/2)[514]ν²(1/2)[510](9/2)[624] configurations, respectively, have been newly observed. The half-life of the K^π=((19/2)⁺) bandhead which decays to the head of the (15/2)⁻ band has been measured to be 140(36) ns. However, transitions from the ((19/2)⁺) state to the (15/2)⁻ band have not been observed. Received: 26 August 1998     

Rotational bands and signature inversion phenomena in πh9/2⊗νi13/2 and πi13/2⊗νi13/2 structures in odd-odd 176Ir

The ^109,111,113Rh nuclei have been produced as fission fragments in the fusion reaction ¹⁸O + ²⁰⁸Pb at 85 MeV. Their level schemes have been built from gamma-rays detected using the Euroball IV array. High-spin states of the neutron-rich ^111,113Rh nuclei have been identified for the first time. Several rotational bands with the odd proton occupying the πg _9/2, πp _1/2 and π(g _7/2/d _5/2) sub-shells have been observed. A band of low-energy transitions has been identified at excitation energy around 2 MeV in ^109,111Rh, which can be interpreted in terms of three-quasiparticle excitation, πg _9/2νh _11/2νg _7/2/d _5/2. In addition another structure built on states located at low excitation energy (608 keV in ¹¹¹Rh, 570 keV in ¹¹³Rh) points out that, as already observed in the lighter isotopes ^107,109Rh, triaxial deformation plays a role in the neutron-rich Rh isotopes well beyond the mid-shell. Received: 15 July 2002 / Accepted: 9 October 2002 / Published online: 3 December 2002 RID="a" ID="a"e-mail: porquet@csnsm.in2p3.fr RID="b" ID="b"Present address: CSNSM IN2P3-CNRS and Université Paris-Sud 91405 Orsay, France. RID="c" ID="c"Present address: CEA/Saclay, DSM/DAPNIA/SPhN, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France. Communicated by D. Schwalm     

High-spin structure of the neutron-rich 107,109 45Rh isotopes: the role of triaxiality

The ^107,109Rh nuclei have been produced as fission fragments following the fusion reaction ²⁸Si +¹⁷⁶Yb at 145 MeV bombarding energy and studied with the Eurogam2 array. In both nuclei three new rotational bands with the odd proton occupying the πg_9/2, πp_1/2 and π(g_7/2/d_5/2) sub-shells have been observed. In ¹⁰⁷Rh, two other bands involving strong M1 transitions have been identified at excitation energy larger than 2 MeV. They can be interpreted in terms of three quasiparticle excitations. In addition new structures consisting of four transitions, built on states located at low excitation energy (680 keV in ¹⁰⁷Rh and 642 keV in ¹⁰⁹Rh), point out the importance of triaxial deformation in these two isotopes. Received: 1 September 1999     

Search for decoupled bands in Odd-Odd 174Re

An effort has been made to search for the decoupled bands in odd-odd ¹⁷⁴Re via the ¹⁵⁹Tb(²⁰Ne,5n γ)¹⁷⁴Re reaction through excitation functions, K x-γ and γ-γ coincidence measurements. The doubly decoupled band and the semidecoupled one have been found in this work. Their quasiparticle configurations are proposed to be π1/2⁻[541] ⊗ν1/2⁻[521] and π1/2⁻[541] ⊗νi _13/2, respectively, according to the characteristics of band structures in this mass region. Another band with strongly coupled character is also reported. Received: 23 November 1999 / Revised version: 5 January 2000     

The structure of 99Ru from (α,3n) reaction

The results of in-beam investigations of excited states of ⁹⁹Ru using the ⁹⁸Mo(α,3n) reaction are presented. Angular distributions of γ–rays and γ–γ coincidences have been measured. Excited states have been identified up to an energy of E = 5603 keV and spin of I^π= 31/2⁻. Mean lifetimes τ have been determined using the DSA method for eleven levels. Aligned angular momenta are discussed and the probable (νh _11/2) origin of a backbending at frequency about 0.5 MeV was confirmed. The possible role of (νd _5/2) alignment at frequencies above 0.5 MeV was pointed out. Received: 13 January 1999 / Revised version: 26 March 1999     

The “island of inversion" from a nuclear moments perspective and the g factor of 35Si

This paper reviews recent results from electromagnetic moment measurements on isotopes in the island of inversion around N=20. The obtained moments on neutron rich Na, Mg, Al and Si isotopes allow to draw conclusions on the amount of intruder components in their ground state wave function, demonstrating a gradual transition from the normal sd-shell region into the island of inversion, starting at N=18 for Na, N=19 for Mg and N=20 for Al isotopes. A measurement of the ground state g factor of ³⁵Si (N=21), using a polarized fragment beam at GANIL, is discussed in more detail. The magnetic moment μ(³⁵Si, I^π= 7/2^-) = (-)1.638(4) μ_N is consistent with a normal ground state structure, dominated by a νf_7/2 neutron.     

High spin states and evidence for octupole correlations in 117Xe

High-spin states of ¹¹⁷Xe were investigated by means of in-beam γ-ray spectroscopic techniques via the reaction of ²⁸Si bombarding a ⁹²Mo target at beam energies of 100-120 MeV. A positive-parity rotational band decaying into the yrast negative-parity band by a series of enhanced E1 transitions was observed for the first time, implying the existence of octupole correlations in ¹¹⁷Xe. The B(E1) values increase with spin. The νd_5/2 band was firmly established up to 27/2⁺ and the B(M1)/B(E2) ratios were extracted from the relative intensities of γ-rays in this band. The previously known νh_11/2 and νg_7/2 [413]5/2⁺α=−1/2 bands were confirmed and extended up to high spins and two bandcrossings are observed in the latter at ħω=0.33 and 0.44 MeV, respectively. The bandcrossings and configurations of these bands are discussed by TRS and CSM calculations. In a γ–γ–t measurement, the 11/2⁻ and 7/2⁻ levels were identified as two isomers with half-lives of 59.4±20 ns and 16.5±8.0 ns, respectively. Received: 17 June 1997 / Revised version: 29 September 1997     

High-spin states in odd-odd 168Lu

High-spin states of odd-odd ¹⁶⁸Lu were observed up to 18ħ for the first time using the ¹⁵⁹Tb(¹³C, 4nγ)¹⁶⁸Lu reaction at E _13C= 58.5 MeV. γ-γ coincidence, E _γ singles, excitation function, and the DCO ratios were measured. Two rotational bands with signature splitting were populated, among which the lower-energy band is identified as π 7/2⁺[404] ⊗ν 5/2⁺[642] in view of alignment and energy systematics. Received: 27 October 1997     

High spin structure of 117I

High-spin states in ¹¹⁷I have been studied via the ¹⁰³Rh(¹⁸O, 4n) reaction at a beam energy of 85 MeV. Many deformed rotational bands built on the proton h_11/2, g_7/2, and g_9/2 orbitals have been identified. Among them, an unfavoured rotational band and a quasi-gamma band based on the h_11/2 state have been newly observed. Moreover, positive-parity states above I^π= 35/2⁺ reported in the previous work have been rearranged. Several energetically favoured states have been assigned to noncollective oblate states based on various quasiparticle configurations with β₂≈ 0.18–0.19 and γ= 60°. Received: 1 March 1999     

Configuration assignments and decay of 126La high-spin bands

High spin states of ¹²⁶La have been populated using the reaction ¹¹⁶Sn+¹⁴N at 68 MeV. γ-rays and conversion electrons were detected with the GAREL array. Multipolarities of the lowest-lying in-band dipole transitions have been determined from the deduced internal conversion coefficients. Experimental B(M1)/B(E2) ratios have been derived for the bands and compared with calculated values using the D?nau-Frauendorf geometrical model. Configurations are proposed for the bands comparing them with cranked shell model calculations and on the basis of the measured B(M1)/B(E2) ratios. The β-decay of ¹²⁶La has also been revisited. The population of the ¹²⁶Ba levels gives a probable spin value of five for the decaying high-spin ¹²⁶La state with T _1/2≈ 64 s which may indicate a signature inversion in the πh_11/2νh_11/2 band. Received: 12 October 1999     

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.     

High-spin states of rotational bands built upon νi13/2 in 166Lu

High-Spin states of odd-odd ¹⁶⁶Lu were populated using the ¹³⁹La(³⁰Si,3nγ)¹⁶⁶Lu at a beam energy of 120 MeV. Twelve new γ-rays were placed on top of the previously known two rotational bands built upon πg _7/2⊗νi _13/2 and πh _11/2⊗νi _13/2. Extending high-spin states up to 21⁺ and 25⁻ for each band, we have observed the onset of band crossing near ħω _c ≈ 0.35 MeV. The band crossing frequency of the yrast πh _11/2⊗νi _13/2 band is consistent with the neutron BC band crossing observed in lighter odd-odd Lu isotopes.