Evidence for anI=1 isomeric state in96Rb

Aβ-RADOP (β-Radiation Detected Optical Pumping) experiment on the short lived (T _1/2=203 ms)⁹⁶Rb isotope has been performed at the on line mass separator for fission produced alkali isotopes at the TRIGA reactor in Mainz. Irradiation of r.f. onto the polarized sample to induce Zeeman transitions resulted in two signals for nuclear spinsI=2 andI=1. The previously undetermined component withI=1 is interpreted as evidence for an isomeric state in⁹⁶Rb.     

Implications on the chiral quark bag from the deuteron asymptoticD-state

Fission yields of^124–132In in the thermal neutron fission of²³⁵U were determined for the first time. Charge displacementsΔZ=Z _p?Z _UCD were calculated for the corresponding mass chains. Both fission yields and charge displacement values were compared with those obtained by systematics by Wahl et al. and Wolfsberg. It was found that the fission yields of the In isotopes obey the gaussian distribution. The displacement function of Wolfsberg seems to give the better representation of the experimental results. Half-lives of^124–131In were determined from beta decay curves.     

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.     

Structure of the highly deformed nucleus101Sr63 and evidence for identical K=3/2 bands

The low-energy level scheme of theN=63 nucleus¹⁰¹Sr has been obtained from a β-decay study of¹⁰¹Rb. The ν[532]5/2 and ν[411]3/2 orbitals are well established as the ground state and a band head at 271.2keV, respectively. The general properties of the level scheme indicate a quadrupole deformation ofβ ? 0.4, confirming the unique feature of saturation of deformation inN ≥ 60 Sr isotopes. The energies of theK=3/2 intraband transitions in the odd-neutron neighbours⁹⁹Sr₆₁ and¹⁰¹Sr₆₃ are very similar. More generally, the identical bands at low spin in^98–101Sr nuclei are correlated with the mass-independent moments of inertia in this region.     

Bestimmung der Triplett-Potentialdaten für das K2-Stoßmolekül

Short lived Ru isotopes produced in thermal fission of²³⁵U have been chemically separated from the other fission products. Successiveγ-ray spectra were taken by means of Ge(Li) detectors. The observedγ-lines have been assigned to the various Ru isotopes (A=107 to 110) or to their daughter elements on the basis of their half-lives, intensity ratios and known level properties. Partial decay schemes are discussed and relative fission yields are given.¹¹¹Ru has been identified (T ₁₂: 1.5±0.3 s).     

Proton instability of73Rb

The study of the stability of an astrophysically interesting nucleus⁷³Rb was performed by searching itsβ ⁺ and proton decay at the ISOLDE facility at CERN. Light rubidium isotopes were produced in a spallation reaction of a niobium target induced by a pulsed 1 GeV proton beam. The previously reported proton-unbound character of⁷³Rb was confirmed and the upper limit for its production cross-section was reduced by more than one order of magnitude.     

Strong change in the mass distribution of fission-like processes around ACN = 100

The completely relaxed reaction products resulting from bombardment of ⁵⁹Co, ⁶⁵Cu, ⁷⁴Ge, ⁷⁹Br, ⁸⁵Rb and ⁸⁹Y with ³²S have been studied. At incident energies from 153 MeV to 184 MeV, compound of composite nuclei with masses, A_CN, between 91 and 121 are formed with excitation energies of 80–100 MeV. Their spins might be as high as 60–70 $\text{h}\text{?}$ which allows for fission decay. The mass distribution from the reaction ³²S on ⁸⁹Y exhibits a sharp peak corresponding to symmetric fragmentation and consistent with a fission mechanism. The mass distribution over the above range range of decaying composite nuclei continuously broadens with decreasing mass, A_CN. Maxima around the projectile and target mass gradually become more predominant and finally dominate the mass spectrum obtained in the reaction ³²S on ⁵⁹Co. These changes in the overall character of the mass distribution are discussed in terms of various mechanisms.     

Nuclear spins of76Rb and119Cs byβ radiation detected optical pumping

An optical pumping apparatus has been attached to the reconstructed ISOLDE on-line mass separator at CERN in order to obtain nuclear data of isotopes far fromβ stability. As first results the spins of⁷⁶Rb (T _1/2=36.8 s) and¹¹⁹Cs (T _1/2=37.7 s) have been determined byβ radiation detected optical pumping (β-RADOP) to beI=1 andI=9/2 respectively.     

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.     

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.     

Thermal neutron scattering parameters for light nuclei (A=12 to 27)

Neutron scattering lengths and free scattering cross sections were measured for isolated isotopes and natural elements in the mass region fromA=12 toA=27. By means of the Christiansen filter technique values for the coherent scattering lengths were obtained for the bound atoms of^12C,^13C,^14N,^15N,^16O,^17O,^18O, Mg and¹⁹F. Transmission experiments with neutrons of 0.51 meV, 1.26 eV and 5.19 eV yielded data for the free scattering cross sections of^19F,²³Na, Mg and¹⁹F. From all these results and with previous data the fundamental spin state scattering lengths for the concerned light nuclei have been deduced. The comparison of these values with resonance parameters has shown that the resonance data are complete. Therefore, values for the potential scattering radii could be obtained and discussed.     

First absolute mass measurements of short-lived isotopes

Absolute mass measurements of short-lived isotopes have been performed at the on-line mass separator ISOLDE at CERN by determining the cyclotron frequencies of ions confined in a Penning trap. The cyclotron frequencies for^{77,78,85,86,88}Rb and⁸⁸Sr ions could be determined with a resolving power of 3×10⁵ and an accuracy of better than 10⁻⁶, which corresponds to 100 keV for massA=100. The shortest-lived isotope under investigation was⁷⁷Rb with a half-life of 3.7 min. The resonances obtained for the isobars⁸⁸Rb and⁸⁸Sr were clearly resolved.     

On the stability of the nuclei of element 108 withA=263–265

In bombarding²⁰⁹Bi and^{207, 208}Pb targets by⁵⁵Mn and⁵⁸Fe ions the yields of “cold fusion” reactions have been determined using a sensitive technique for detectingT _1/2≧1 ms spontaneous fission and theα-decay of heavy actinide elements. It has been shown that theA = 263–265 isotopes of element 108, including the even-even isotope²⁶⁴108, undergo mainlyα-decay. The obtained results, together with the known data on the properties of the isotopes of elements 104 and 106, provide evidence for the enhanced stability of theZ=108 nuclei against spontaneous fission.     

Coherent spectroscopy of the 87RbFg=1→ Fe=0 closed transition

This paper has observed linewidth narrowing of dark states in rubidium cell by using the Hanle configuration. The reduction of the coherent resonance width under the transition of ^87Rb Fg = 1 → Fe = 0 is observed and the qualitative explanation about its mechanism is presented. Multiple subnatural width dips are obtained with a linearly polarized laser beam for the transitions of ^87Rb Fg = 1→Fe = 0, 1, 2. The feature of negative and positive slope, namely dispersionlike feature, is observed in the transmitted light.     

Q β -Measurements of indium,tin and antimony isotopes with massesA=128 and 130

β-decay energies of neutron rich tin, antimony and tellurium isotopes with mass numberA=128 and 130 were measured. The results obtained are discussed within the framework of earlier measurements. Additionally nuclear masses deduced from the experimentalQ _β -values are compared with mass formulae predictions.     

Nuclear spectroscopy of neutron-richA=143 nuclei

A study of the beta decay of¹⁴³Cs and¹⁴³Ba fission products was undertaken by the use of two on-line mass-separators OSTIS and OSIRIS. Level schemes for¹⁴³Ba and¹⁴³La are deduced from gamma and conversion electron spectra,γ-γ andβ-γ coincidences.Q _β values and ground state beta feedings were also measured. The nuclei¹⁴³La and¹⁴³Ba are tentatively inserted in a systematic of odd-even nuclei aroundA=143 and even-odd nuclei with 87 neutrons respectively.     

Fission products from the197Au(d,f) reaction

Cumulative and independent fission product yields of the reaction¹⁹⁷Au(d,f) were determined at a beam energy of 80 MeV at the Jülich isochronous cyclotron. Off-beamγ-ray measurements applying a catcher foil technique and chemical separation, and in inbeam kinetic energy measurements of fission products were performed. The complete yield distribution of post neutron emission fission fragments is represented by a single function, consisting of the product of two Gaussians. The mass distribution is characterized by the widthσ _A =12.5amu. The width of theZ-distribution for eachA-chain is given byσ _Z =0.63amu.     

Experimental evidence of highly energy relaxed products in the 35 MeV/u84Kr+197Au reaction

The Q_β-values of⁹⁹Rb,^99,100Sr and¹⁰⁰Y have been measured for the first time at the mass separator OSTIS of the ILL; for⁹⁹Y,^99,100Zr and¹⁰⁰Nb, the results of earlier experiments were confirmed with reduced experimental errors. The two-neutron binding energies derived from the experimental Q_β-values clearly indicate that the nuclei¹⁰⁰Sr and¹⁰⁰Y are strongly deformed.     

Determination of the fission barrier of232Pu from β-delayed fission and the problem of the first barrier

A delayed fission activity with a half-life of (55±7) s and a production cross section of (5±1)nb has been observed in the irradiation of²³⁷Np with 104 MeVα particles. It is tentatively assigned to the electron capture decay of²³²Am followed by fission of²³²Pu With a probability of (1.3 _?0.8 ⁺⁴ )· 10^?2 A barrier height of (5.3±0.4) MeV is extracted for²³²Pu exceeding theoretical barrier heights by about 2MeV. Systematic deviations between experimental and theoretical barrier heights previously observed in particular for U and Th isotopes are now also established for neutron deficient Pu isotopes indicating severe defects in the procedure of calculating static fission barriers.     

Exotic nuclei produced by heavy-ions induced fission

About thirty nuclei in theA≈100 mass region have been produced as fission fragments following the fusion-evaporation reactions^28,30Si+¹⁷⁶Yb at 145 MeV bombarding energy. These nuclei have been individually identified from their γ-ray cascades detected with the Eurogam2 array. The level schemes of several stable or neutron-rich nuclei have been extended to higher spins. From cross coincidences between transitions in complementary fragments, γ-rays de-exciting high-spin states of new isotopes can be identified and some aspects of the fission mechanism can be analyzed.