Saturation of deformation atN=60 in the Sr isotopes

From the halflife oft _1/2=3.91 (16) ns for the 2₁ ⁺ state in¹⁰⁰Sr a deformation parameter ofβ=0.40(1) has been derived. Within the given uncertainties, this value is equal to the recently determinedβ-parameters for⁹⁸Sr and⁹⁹Sr, indicating that in the Sr isotopes saturation of deformation is reached immediately at its onset well before neutron midshell. This behaviour is reflected by the “twin” character of⁹⁸Sr and¹⁰⁰Sr with identical features of their unperturbed ground-state rotational bands. These observations are discussed in terms of strong two-nucleon interactions.     

PräziseQ β -Wert-Messungen mit einem Intrinsic-Germanium Detektor an leichten,neutronenreichen Spaltprodukten

An intrinsic Germanium detector of 10 mm depth and 300 mm² sensitive area has been used to determineβ-endpoint energies for Rb, Sr and Y fission products. It was calibrated with monoenergetic electrons supplied by a magnetic conversion electron spectrometer for the energy range from 1.6 to 8 MeV. The energy calibration of the detector is linear with deviations less than 2 · 10^?4, and the detector was recalibrated daily using precisely known gamma rays of⁹⁰Rb. At the on-line fission product separator OSTIS at the ILL, Grenoble the endpoints ofβ-singles-spectra have been determined andQ-values deduced if possible also from beta-gamma coincidence measurements. The obtainedQ-values are:⁸⁸Rb:(5 318±4) keV,⁸⁹Rb: (4 510 ± 8) keV,⁹⁰Rb: (6 578 ± 15) keV,⁹¹Rb: (5 857 ± 8) keV,⁹¹Sr: (2 704.5 ±3) keV,⁹²Rb: (8 111 + 15) keV,⁹³Rb:(7 485 ± 15) keV,⁹⁴Rb: (10 304 ± 30) keV,⁹⁴Sr: (3 512 ± 5) keV,⁹⁴Y: (4 920 ±5)keV,⁹⁵Rb: (8 947 ±100) keV,⁹⁵Y: (4 445±5) keV,⁹⁶Rb: (11 303±250) keV,⁹⁶Sr: (5 413±20) keV,⁹⁶Y: (7 120 ±50) keV,⁹⁷Rb: (10 020 ±50) keV.     

The influence of rotational coupling on K-vacancy formation in U-Pb collisions

The beta endpoint energies of the alkaline fission products^88–94Rb and^139–144Cs have been measured with an intrinsic Ge-detector at the OSTIS fission product separator. The linearity and high resolution of the detector yields an accuracy of up to a few keV. Additional beta gamma coincidence spectra allow the deduction of Q_β-values.     

Beta-decay energies of neutron-rich nuclei in the mass region 142≦A≦150

The β-endpoint energies of 6 neutron-rich nuclei with mass numbersA=146 andA=147 have been measured with a plastic scintillator telescope at the on-line mass separator OSTIS. With theQ _β-values derived from these experiments and with those obtained in earlier studies, nuclear structure effects in this part of the nuclear chart are investigated. In addition, nuclear masses derived from the experimentalQ _β-values are compared with the predictions of theoretical mass calculations.     

Beta-delayed gammas and QEC-values in the decays of150m,152mHo and149Dy

^{150m, 152m}Ho, and¹⁴⁹Dy were produced by fusion-evaporation reactions of⁴⁰Ar with targets of natural indium and¹¹⁴Cd. Theβ-decays of the isotopes were reinvestigated with emphasis on high-excitation daughter states. The decay energies for selectedβ-transitions were measured from electron-capture to positron-decay ratios. Corrections forγ-feeding from higher-lying states were taken into account. The following Q_EC-values were derived for^150mHo,^152mHo, and^149mDy of 6819 ( _?100 ⁺¹¹⁷ , 6263 ( _?80 ⁺⁸⁹ ), and 3914 ( _?52 ⁺⁷⁶ ) keV, respectively.     

Nuclear spectroscopy of neutron-richA=145 nuclei

A study of theβ-decay of neutron-richA=145 fission products was undertaken by the use of the two recoil separators LOHENGRIN and JOSEF and the ISOL-type separator OSTIS. Theβ-decaying isotopes¹⁴⁵Ba,¹⁴⁵La and¹⁴⁵Ce were extensively studied. Level schemes for¹⁴⁵La,¹⁴⁵Ce and¹⁴⁵Pr were deduced fromγ and conversion electron spectra,γγ, X γ delayed andβγ coincidences. TheQ _β -values have been measured for the¹⁴⁵Ba,¹⁴⁵La and¹⁴⁵Ce decays.     

Experimental beta-decay energies of very neutron-rich isobars with mass numbers A=101 and A=102

TheQ -values of¹⁰¹Rb,^101,102Sr and^101,102Y have been measured for the first time at the mass separator ISOLDE by means of-coincidence techniques with a plastic scintillation detector telescope and a large Ge(HP)-detector. For some of these nuclei, also new details of their decay schemes could be derived from the measured-decay properties. The experimental results are discussed, as far as the systematics of two-neutron separation energies derived from them is concerned. In addition, the nuclear masses deduced from theseQ -values are compared with the predictions of recent mass calculations.Dedicated to Prof. Dr. Peter Armbruster on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

Beta decay energies and nuclear masses of148Ba,148La and151Pr

Theβ-decay energy of the neutron-rich isotopes¹⁴⁸Ba,¹⁴⁸La and¹⁵¹Pr has been measured at the Institute Laue-Langevin (ILL). The¹⁴⁸Ba- and¹⁴⁸La-nuclei were produced using a high-temperature ion source at the OSTIS separator of this institute, whereas samples of¹⁵¹Pr were obtained from the thermal fission of²³⁹Pu, used as a target in the mass separator LOHENGRIN. At both instruments,βγ-coincidences were measured with a plastic scintillator telescope and a Ge(I)-detector, together withβ-singles andγ-singles spectra. Theβ-spectra emitted in coincidence with 44γ-lines in the decay of these nuclei have been evaluated. From their endpoint energies, the followingQ _β -values have been obtained:Q _β (¹⁴⁸Ba)=5115±60keV;Q _β (¹⁴⁸La)=7255±55 keV;Q _β (¹⁵¹Pr)=4170±75 keV. Using these results, the nuclear massesA of these nuclei can be calculated with a relative error ΔA/A?5·10^?7. In addition, the two-neutron separation energies and the mass excesses have been derived; the results are compared with recent predictions of theoretical mass calculations.     

Pauli-correct separable potentials for composite particle interactions

Experimental totalβ-decay energies for short-lived isotopes of gallium and germanium are presented. The sources were produced as mass-separated fission products at the OSIRIS on-line separator at Studsvik. By applyingβ-γ-coincidence methodsQ _α-values were determined for^80,81Ga and^79,81,82Ge. For these nuclei on or close to the shellN =50 and in the vicinity of ther-process “seed”, the atomic mass excess is derived and compared with predictions from mass formulae.     

Theβ-decays of99Y and99Zr and the level schemes of99Zr and99Nb

Theβ-decays of⁹⁹Y and⁹⁹Zr have been investigated with the two recoil fission product separators JOSEF and LOHENGRIN. Half-lives of 1.51±0.08s and 2.1±0.1s respectively, have been determined. Aβ-decaying isomeric state has been observed in⁹⁹Y. The level schemes of ₄₀ ⁹⁹ Zr₅₉ and ₄₁ ⁹⁹ Nb₅₈ have been established fromγ-ray spectroscopy. Absoluteγ-intensities have been obtained by means of two independent techniques. Halflives of 293±10 ns for the 251.9 keV state and 10.2±1.5 ns for the 614.0 or 667.2 keV level in⁹⁹Zr have been measured through delayedβ,γ- andγ,γ-coincidence experiments. Values for the spins and parities of the low lying levels in⁹⁹Zr are proposed in accordance with the systematics of lighter odd Zr isotopes. Spins and partities are assigned to some levels in⁹⁹Nb fromγ,γ-angular correlation measurements. In this nucleus there is evidence for three-particle configurations of some excited states, where the odd proton is coupled to two neutrons which are in different orbits.     

Experimental Beta-decay energies of very neutron-rich fission products with 107≦A≦109

Theβ-decay of neutron-rich fission products with mass numbersA=107, 108 and 109 has been investigated at the mass separator LOHENGRIN of the Institute Laue-Lange-vin (ILL) in Grenoble by measuringβγ-coincidences with a large plastic scintillator telescope and a Ge(I)-detector. Theβ-decay energies of 8 nuclei were obtained from the evaluation of more than 40β-endpoint energies. For the nuclei¹⁰⁷ Mo,¹⁰⁷Tc,¹⁰⁸Tc,¹⁰⁹Tc and¹⁰⁹Ru, theβ-decay energies were determined for the first time; the experimental error in the decay energy of three daughter nuclei was considerably reduced. In addition, the two-neutron separation energies and the nuclear mass excesses were calculated from these experimentalQ _β-values and compared with different mass predictions.     

Beta-delayed neutron emission from93–100Rb to excited states in the residual Sr isotopes

Beta-delayed neutron emission from the precursors^93–100Rb to excited states in the residual nuclei^92–99Sr has been measured by means ofγ-ray and neutron spectroscopy. In general, considerable neutron feeding of excited final states is observed. The experimental branching ratios (P _n ⁱ ) are compared to predictions from statistical model calculations. It is demonstrated that the main parameter affecting theP _n ⁱ -values is the shape of theβ-strength function (S _β). For several Rb isotopes hindrance, respectively enhancement of neutron branches to specific final states is observed giving evidence for the persistence of intermediate structure of the neutron-emitting states. By the example of⁹⁸Rb it is shown that a few integralβ-delayed neutron properties may be sufficient to derive first estimates on the real shape ofS _β above the neutron binding energy. This result is of importance for exotic nuclei where detailed spectroscopic investigations are precluded.     

Precise atomic masses of147Eu,147Gd,and151Tb derived from their decay properties

Theβ-decay energies of¹⁴⁷Eu,¹⁴⁷Gd, and¹⁵¹Tb were determined by usingγ-spectroscopical methods. The comparison of experimental with calculatedK-capture probabilities yielded theQ _EC values 1.690( _?16 ⁺²¹ )MeV and 2.203( _?13 ⁺¹⁹ )MeV for¹⁴⁷Eu and¹⁴⁷Gd, respectively. By measuring the ratio of positron decay to electron capture for two branches in¹⁴⁷Eu decay, the decay energiesQ _EC=1.702(13) MeV andQ _EC=1.709(18)MeV were derived. Also fromEC/β ⁺ ratios the valuesQ _EC=2.225(75) MeV for¹⁴⁷Gd, andQ _EC=2.566(12)MeV for¹⁵¹Tb were obtained. Earlier discrepancies in the mass adjustment of these isotopes were removed. In course of the present studiesγ-decay properties of¹⁴⁷Eu and¹⁴⁷Gd were reinvestigated.     

Isomerism,total decay energies,and absolute γ-ray intensities of the heavy Pd and Ag isotopes

The decays of^{113, 114, 115g, 115m, 116}Pd have been studied with an emphasis on the determinations of total decay energies and absoluteγ-ray intensities. The experiments also provided improved data on these quantities for the decays of^{114, 115g, 115m, 116m}Ag. A search for isomeric transitions using a high resolution electron detector resulted in the identification of isomericE3 transitions in¹¹⁵Pd and^{113, 115, 116, 117}Ag. The isomeric branching was determined in all cases. TheQ _β-values of^113–116Pd and^113–116Ag have been measured using aβγ-coincidence method.     

States in86Sr,84Sr and87Y populated in the (p,t) reaction

The (p,t) reactions on⁸⁸Sr,⁸⁴Sr and⁸⁹Y have been carried out at a bombarding energy of 49.5 MeV. Some low-lying excitations in⁸⁶Sr and⁸⁴Sr associated with configurations of 1g _9/2 and 2p _1/2 neutrons have been identified. Levels populated to 4 MeV of excitation in the strontium nuclei and to 2.5 MeV in⁸⁷Y have been studied in the present experiment. In the case of⁸⁷Y most of the levels populated are of a complex nature.     

Study of theβ +/EC decay of the neutron deficient nuclei76,78Sr and79Y

The +/EC decay of the neutron deficient nuclei^76,78Sr and⁷⁹Y was studied employing mass separated molecular beams of SrF⁺ and YF₂ ⁺ from the ISOLDE mass separator. The halflives of^76,78Sr and⁷⁹Y were measured as t_1/2=8.9(3)s, 159(8)s and 14.4(15)s, respectively, and decay schemes were established for⁷⁶Sr and⁷⁹Y. In the⁷⁸Sr decay 10 new -ray transitions were identified.     

Study of the excited 0+ states through conversion electron spectroscopy of neutron rich Zr and Mo fission products

A windowless Si(Li) electron detector has been used in conjunction with the gas filled fission product separator JOSEF to study totally converted transitions in Zr and Mo isotopes. The existence of twoβ-decay modes in⁹⁶Y,⁹⁸Y and¹⁰⁰Nb is confirmed. The half-lives of theβ-decaying levels feeding O ₂ ⁺ states in⁹⁶Zr and⁹⁸Zr are 6.0 ± 0.4 sec and 0.60±0.05 sec respectively. A search for other first excited O ₂ ⁺ states shows that no such states are apparent in¹⁰⁰Zr and¹⁰⁴Mo.     

Total beta-decay energies of heavy fission products

TheQ _β-value of^144,145Ba,^144,145,147La,^145,147,148Ce and¹⁴⁸Pr has been measured using mass-separated sources produced at the on-line mass separator LOHENGRIN. The experimental values are compared with mass formula predictions.     

Experimentelle Untersuchungen am Elektroneneinfang des85Strontium und88Yttrium

The electron capture decay of⁸⁵Sr and⁵⁵Y has been investigated using NaI(Tl)-detectors. Spectroscopic-coincidence techniques have been employed to examine theK-electron capture rates. The experimental results areP _K ω _K (Sr)=.5959 ± 0.0035 andP _K ω _K (Y)=0.6340± 0.0032. Using theK-capture probabilities, derived from the capture ratios ofBrysk andRose with the exchange correction ofBahcall:P _K (Sr)=0.880± 0.008 andP _K (Y)=0.883 ± 0.008, one can derive from these results the fluorescence yieldsω _K (Rb)=0.677± 0.009 andω _K (Sr)=0.712± 0.010. Functions ofω _K (Z) were fitted to recent experimental data and tabulated forZ=5–90. In addition to these results the half life of the 514 keV state of⁸⁵Rb and the branching ratios and the positron rate of the⁸⁸Y-decay have been measured with the same techniques. The data obtained partly disagree from measurements of other authors.     

The decay of 31 sec98Zr, 2.9 sec98Nb and 51 min98Nb

TheΒ- andγ-radiations of⁹⁸Zr and^{98m, g} Nb have been investigated employing scintillation and semiconductor spectrometers and coincidence techniques. Sources of⁹⁸Nb were produced by the⁹⁸Mo(n, p)⁹⁸Nb reaction, sources of⁹⁸Zr by fission of²³⁵U with thermal neutrons applying chemical separations. For⁹⁸Zr, a half-life of 30.7±0.4 sec and aQ _β-value of 2.3±0.2 MeV were obtained, for the⁹⁸Nb isomers, half-lives of 2.86±0.06 sec and 51.3±0.4 min, andQ _β-values of 4.8±0.2 MeV and 4.5±0.2 MeV, respectively. Noγ-rays were observed in the decay of⁹⁸Zr. The decay of 2.9 sec⁹⁸Nb was found to involve 11γ-ray transitions. In the decay of 51 min⁹⁸Nb, 54γ-transitions were detected. Spin and parity of 1⁺ and 4^? were deduced for the isomeric states of⁹⁸Nb.