Properties of the 2' and 2” states in 106, 112, 114Cd

Angular correlations have been measured between γ-rays from the 2 → 2 → 0 cascades in ^106,112,114Cd and the beam of 11.0 MeV α particles effecting Coulomb excitation. Multipole admixtures for the 2 → 2 transitions, as deduced from these correlations, when combined with earlier results establish their B(E2) and B(M1) values. For the transitions from the 1312 and 1208 keV states in ^112,114Cd the B(E2) values in single-particle units are 18±4 and 24±7. These values are typical for transitions from “two-quadrupole-phonon” states in this mass region whereas that of the 1718 keV transition in ¹⁰⁶Cd has the smaller value of 7.0±2.3. The B(E2) values of the 2 → 2 transitions in ^112,114Cd from the 1468 and 1363 keV states are < 0.3 single-particle units. The B(M1) values of all five transitions are ≈ 10^?2$\text{(}\text{e}\text{h}\text{?}\text{2Mc}\text{)}{}^2$.     

Coulomb excitation of 85Rb and 87Rb

Energy levels of ⁸⁵Rb and ⁸⁷Rb have been studied via de-excitation γ-rays following Coulomb excitation with ³⁵Cl ions. In addition to the known negative-parity states at 151.2 keV and 868.2 keV in ⁸⁵Rb, two states at 281.0 keV and 731.8 keV have been found with fourγ-ray transitions of 129.8, 281.0, 450.8 and 731.8 keV. Only one Coulomb excited state at 402.6 keV in ⁸⁷Rb has been observed. The B(E2↑) values (in units e² · b²) have been determined as 0.0035±0.0004 (151.2 keV), 0.0016±0.0002 (281.0 keV), 0.0101 ±0.0010 (731.8 keV), and 0.036±0.004 (868.2 keV) for the states in ⁸⁵Rb, and as 0.0054±0.0006 (402.6 keV) for the state in ⁸⁷Rb. The mean lifetimes of the 731.8 keV and 868.2 keV states have been measured by the Doppler shift attenuation method as 6.4±0.7 psec and 4.2±0.5 psec respectively. Angular distribution measurements allow unique spin and parity assignments of $\text{1}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$ and $\text{3}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$ to the 281.0 keV and 731.8 keV levels respectively. The spin and parity of the 868.2 keV level has been restricted to $\text{5}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$ or $\text{7}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$.     

Multiple coulomb excitation of 167Er

The ground-state rotational band in ¹⁶⁷Er has been investigated through multiple Coulomb excitation with a 160 MeV ³⁵Cl beam. Excited states up to $\text{25}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ were established by measuring γγ coincidences and γ-ray angular distributions. Gamma-gamma angular correlations were also measured. Nuclear lifetimes of levels up to spin $\text{23}\text{2}$ have been determined from Doppler-broadened γ-ray lineshapes, and B(M1) and B(E2) values of intra-band transitions deduced. Considerable signature dependence was observed for level energies and M1 transition probabilities. A Coriolis band-mixing calculation was carried our for comparison with the experimental results. The measured M1 transition probabilities are compared to calculations based on a particle-rotor model, a cranking model, and a microscopic model with quantum-number projection.     

High-resolution study of E0 internal pair decay of excited 0+ states in 58,60,62Ni

The recently developed magnetic plus Si(Li)-Si(Li) sum-coincidence technique is employed to measure E0 internal-pair-formation (IPF) branching ratios of excited 0⁺ states in ^58,60,62Ni. The $\text{X(}\text{E}\text{0}\text{E}\text{2}\text{)}$ values are obtained for a new 0⁺₄ state in ⁶⁰Ni at 3588.0 keV, for the 0⁺₂ and 0⁺₃ states at 2942.3 keV and 3530.9 keV in ⁵⁸Ni, for the corresponding states at 2284.8 keV and 3318.3 keV in ⁶⁰Ni, and for the 0⁺₂ state in ⁶²Ni at 2048.4 keV. The results are combined with the available lifetimes of these states to extract the monopole strengths ?²(0⁺_i ? 0⁺₁). The results and the nature of the 0⁺ states are discussed.     

Absolute transition probabilities in 130Xe

Lifetime measurements of the excited states of ¹³⁰Xe were carried out by delayed coincidence measurements between the β-spectrum of ^130gI and the conversion lines that de-excite the levels, using a double-lens coincidence spectrometer. The mean lifetimes of the 2362 keV and 536 keV levels were determined as τ = 13.5±2 psec and 12.0±3 psec, respectively. The sum of the mean lifetimes of the 1204 keV and 1944 keV levels was measured as 4.0±1.6 psec. Conversion coefficients were measured for the most prominent transitions. The 2362 keV state was assigned as a two-quasi-particle configuration and its de-excitation mode to the ground quasi-rotational band could be accounted for by a small amplitude admixture of the 6⁺ rotational configuration. The present B(E2; 0⁺ → 2⁺) value for the 536 keV state is in excellent agreement with a pairing plus quadrupole calculation for spherical nuclei. On the other hand, the energy spacings in this nucleus can be reproduced by the asymmetric rotational model with the parameters μ = 0.60, γ = 24°. The predicted sum of the lifetimes for the 4⁺ and 6⁺ rotational states agrees with our result within the experimental errors.     

Collectivity and the role of two-proton and two-neutron excitations in 82Kr

Excited states in ⁸²Kr have been studied in the reaction ⁸⁰Se(α, 2n) by using in-beam γ-ray spectroscopy. Measurements of γγ coincidences, excitation functions, angular distributions and the linear polarization of the γ-rays have been carried out. All together, 38 levels have been identified up to $\text{I = 12}\text{h}\text{?}$ and excitation energies up to 6 MeV. For 23 of these levels the mean lifetime could be determined by Doppler shift and the pulsed-beam γ-timing methods. Most of the levels could be grouped into collective bands according to measured B(E2) values. Two sequences, I^π = 8⁺, 10⁺, 12⁺, are interpreted as rotation-aligned 2q.p. bands built up on $\text{g}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>9</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ protons and neutrons, respectively. Interaction matrix elements between these bands were deduced as V ? 10 keV. Additional states, I^π = (6⁺), 7⁺, 8⁺, indicate coexistence of rotation-aligned and deformation-aligned 2q.p. excitations. An odd-parity ΔI = 1 band is ascribed to proton excitations of the type $\text{g}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>9</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{?}\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>3</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{f}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$. Several fast M1 transitions with B(M1) = 0.1–1 W.u. have been observe states of equal spin. They are interpreted as being due to configuration mixing.     

Electromagnetic transitions in 51Mn

The nuclear structure of ⁵¹₂₅Mn was studied by γ-ray spectroscopy in the ⁵⁴Fe(p, α)⁵¹ Mn reaction (E_p = 9.0–13.2 MeV) and the ¹⁴N+³⁹K, ¹⁶O+⁴⁰Ca and ¹⁴N+⁴⁰Ca fusion-evaporation reactions (E_beam = 36 MeV). In the ⁵⁴Fe(p, αγ)⁵¹Mn reaction γ-rays were detected in coincidence with α-particles emitted near 180°; mean lifetimes and γ-ray mixing and branching ratios were deduced from Doppler shift attenuation and α-γ angular correlation measurements, respectively. Definite spin assignments are: 237 and 2416 keV, $\text{J}{}^{\mathrm{\pi }}\text{=}\text{7}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$; 1140 keV, $\text{9}\text{2}$^?; 1488 keV, $\text{11}\text{2}$^?; 1825 and 2140 keV, $\text{3}\text{2}$^?. The results for other states below 3 MeV are consistent with the existence of rotational bands (/kh²/2/OI/t~ 95 keV) built on the ($\text{3}\text{2}$⁺) 1817 keV and $\text{1}\text{2}$⁺ 2276 keV hole states. The various measurements together with an earlier value for the lifetime of the first-excited state determine unambiguously the B(M1) and B(E2) values for all of the decay branches of the $\text{7}\text{2}$^?, $\text{9}\text{2}$^? and $\text{11}\text{2}$^? lowest three excited states. From the γ-singles and γ-γ coincidence observations with fusion-evaporation reactions, the yrast cascade proceeds through these three states and higher states at 2957, 3250,3680 and 4139 keV which are suggested to have $\text{J}{}^{\mathrm{\pi }}\text{=}\text{13}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$, $\text{15}\text{2}$^?,$\text{15}\text{2}$^? and $\text{19}\text{2}$^?, respectively. The various experimental results for the $\text{5}\text{2}$^? → ($\text{19}\text{2}$^?) yrast states are in good overall agreement with shell-model calculations in the (f_{$\text{7}\text{2}$}¹ space.     

Nuclear orientation study of the excited states of 129I populated in the decay of 129gTe and 129mTe

From the angular distributions of γ-rays emitted by oriented ^129gTe and ^129mTe nuclei implanted in iron by isotope separator, unique spin assignments could be made for the excited states of ¹²⁹I at 487.4 keV $\text{(}\text{5}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)}$, 696.0 keV $\text{(}\text{11}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)}$, 729.6 keV $\text{(}\text{9}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)}$, 768.9 keV $\text{(}\text{7}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)}$, 1050.4 keV $\text{(}\text{7}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)}$ and 1111.8 keV $\text{(}\text{5}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)}$. In addition, E2/M1 amplitude ratios for the following ¹²⁹I γ-rays (energies are in keV) are derived: δ(459.6) = ?(0.076^+0.037_?0.148); δ(487.4) = 0.50^+0.17_?0.10 or δ^? = 0.35^+0.15_?0.09; δ(556.7) = 0.06±0.02 or δ^? = ?(0.10±0.02); δ(624.4) = 0.10±0.26 or δ^? > 0.4; the 696.0 keV γ-ray is pure E2; δ(729.6) = ?(0.34±0.06) or δ^?1 = 0.55±0.05; δ(741.1) = ?(0.27±0.10) or δ^?1 = ?(0.43±0.12); δ(817.2) = 0.46±0.04 or δ^?1 =0.20±0.03 if $\text{I}{}^{\mathrm{\pi }}\text{(845}\text{keV}\text{) =}\text{7}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$; δ(1022.6) = ?(0.02 ±0.02) or δ^?1 = ?(0.23±0.02); $\text{δ(1084) = 0.56}{}^{\mathrm{+0.04}}{}_{\mathrm{?0.14}}$; δ(1111.8) = 0.06±0.05 or δ^?1 = ?(0.08±0.05). The anisotropy of the 531.8 keV γ-ray excludes $\text{1}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ as a possible spin assignment for the 559.6 keV level, so that no $\text{1}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ level is fed in the decay from ¹²⁹Te. Anisotropies for the 209, 250.7, 278.4 and 281.1 keV γ-rays are also measured. Comparison of the level scheme is made with theoretical predictions from both the pairing-plus-quadrupole model and the intermediate coupling unified model.     

The electric quadrupole moment of the first excited state of 204Hg

The static electric quadrupole moment Q₂₊ and the B(E2; 0⁺ → 2⁺) value of the 2⁺ first excited state of ²⁰⁴Hg have been determined using the reorientation effect in Coulomb excitation. An annular Si surface-barrier detector was used to detect back-scattered ⁴He, ¹²C and ¹⁶O projectiles. In a subsidiary experiment, spectra were obtained from ²⁰⁴Hg(p, p')²⁰⁴Hg using Si surface-barrier detectors, and the results were used in conjunction with previously existing data to provide information on higher states of ²⁰⁴Hg which might participate in the Coulomb excitation of the 2⁺ state. From a 3-level analysis, we find Q₂₊ = +0.40 ± 0.20 e · b and B(E2; 0⁺ → 2⁺) = 0.423 ± 0.005 e² · b². These results are in good agreement with the predictions of particle-vibrational coupling calculations. The value obtained for $\text{Q}{}_{\mathrm{2+}}\text{(}{}^{204}\text{Hg)}$ is substantially smaller in magnitude than values of Q₂₊ previously determined for ^{198, 200, 202}Hg.     

Spins of the levels and multipole mixing ratios of transitions in 125Sb determined from γ-γ directional correlation and polarization-directional correlation measurements

In order to resolve several discrepancies in spin assignments to levels in ¹²⁵Sb, directional correlations and polarization-directional correlations have been measured for several γ-γ cascades in ¹²⁵Sb populated from the decay of ¹²⁵Sn. Earlier results obtained from using NaI and Ge(Li) and NaI detectors were difficult to interpret due to the complex structure of the decay scheme. To improve the experimental situation, we have used two coaxial Ge(Li) detectors for the angular correlation measurements and a coaxial Ge(Li)-planar Ge(Li) combination for the polarization-directional correlations. Combination of the results of these measurements give unique spin assignments of $\text{11}\text{2}$^?, $\text{11}\text{2}$^?, $\text{9}\text{2}$⁺, $\text{11}\text{2}$⁺ and $\text{9}\text{2}$⁺ to the 1982 keV, 1890 keV, 1420 keV, 1089 keV and 1067 keV levels, respectively. The determined E2/M1 mixing ratios are : δ(470) = 0.010±0.027, δ(1067) = ?0.86±0.18, and δ(916) = ?0.02±0.01.     

Spins and mixing ratios in 138Ba

The spin assignments to the 1899 (4⁺), 2308 (3⁺ or 4⁺) and 2446 (3⁺) keV levels in ¹³⁸Ba have been confirmed by γ-γ directional correlation measurements. In addition, the multipolarity and $\text{E2}\text{M1}$ mixing parameters for a number of transitions have been established as follows: 409 keV (M1+E2, ?0.75 < δ < ?0.45 or ?0.85 < δ < ?0.05 depending on the choice of J^π = 3⁺ or 4⁺ for the initial state), 463 keV (E2, 0 < δ < 0.15 for $\text{M3}\text{E2}$ admixture), 547 keV (M1+E2, ?0.06 < δ < ?0.015), 872 keV (M1+E2, δ undefined) and 1010 keV (M1+E2, ?0.015 < δ < +0.020).     

Medium-spin levels and the character of the 20.4 ns 132+ isomer in 145Gd

Levels of the N = 81 nucleus ¹⁴⁵Gd have been investigated by in-beam γ-ray and conversion electron spectroscopy with the ¹⁴⁴Sm(³He, 2n) reaction. Fourteen new low- and medium-spin states between 1.0 and 2.4 MeV excitation, the known yrast levels up to spin $\text{21}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$, five other high-spin non-yrast states and a new 20.4 ns $\text{13}\text{2}$ isomer at 2200.2 keV in ¹⁴⁵Gd have been observed. The isomer decays via a fast 927.3 keV E3 transition with B(E3) = 48 ± 7 W.u. Another weaker decay branch is a mixed, strongly hindered E1 + M2 + E3 transition to the $\text{v}\text{h}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>11</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ state. We propose an octupole $\text{v}\text{f}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>7</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{j}{}^{\mathrm{?2}}\text{× 3}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$ main configuration for the isomer, analogous to the 997 keV $\text{13}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ isomer in ¹⁴⁷Gd. The levels of ¹⁴⁵Gd are discussed on the basis of the spherical shell model.     

Levels and transitions in 131Xe studied by the decay of oriented 131I

Sources of ¹³¹I were prepared by implantation in iron foils. Nuclear orientation of these sources was obtained by cooling them to temperatures of 30 to 50 mK using a dilution refrigerator and saturating the iron by an external magnetic field. Anisotropies of angular distributions of eleven γ-transitions in ¹³¹Xe have been measured, yielding the following results: the levels at 405 and 637 keV are $\text{3}\text{2}$⁽⁺⁾ and $\text{7}\text{2}$⁽⁺⁾ states and the assignment $\text{5}\text{2}$⁽⁺⁾ for the level a keV is confirmed. Deduced values of E2/M1 multipole mixing ratios are (energies in keV): ?0.5 ≦ δ(318) ≦ + 0.2; δ(364) = ?4.53±0.12; + 0.2 ≦ δ(405) ≦ +2.0; δ(723) = +0.207 ± 0.005. The allowed β-decay branch to the level at 637 keV is for at least 90% of the Gamow- Teller type.     

The E2 transition probability and effective charge for the neutron i132 subshell in lead isotopes

In (heavy ion, xn) reactions, X-rays and low energy γ-rays emitted by the compound nuclei are investigated using a catcher system for recoiling nuclei within the 10–100 keV energy range. The nucleide ¹⁹⁸Pb is studied by means of this technique. A 90 keV E2 (or E2 + M1) transition is identified together with information related to the 12⁺ → 10⁺E2 transition energy. The B(E2; 12⁺ → 10⁺) value is deduced. The effective charge extracted from the analysis of the reduced transition probability between two members of the ($\text{vi}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>13</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{)}{}^{\mathrm{?2}}$ multiplet is compared to the corresponding values for other lead isotopes.     

Coulomb excitation in 180Hf

Coulomb excitation studies have been performed to measure transition probabilities of collective quadrupole vibrational states in ¹⁸⁰Hf. The I = 2 level of the K^π = 2⁺ collective γ-band is established at 1200.5 keV with B(E2)_exc = (11.0 ± 1.1) × 10^?50e² · cm⁴ (3.6 ± 0.4 s.p.u.). The angular distribution of the de-exciting γ-rays from this level yields δ = 9.6⁺²²_?5.8 or, less likely, 0.7 ± 0.2 for the 1107.2 keV 2_γ⁺ → 2_g⁺ transition. The B(E2)_exc for any K^πI = 0⁺2 stateorother 2⁺ states up to 1500 keV is less than 5 × 10^?51e² · cm⁴ (< 0.2. s.p.u.).     

Coulomb excitation of the even-mass selenium nuclei

The properties of the low-lying states of the doubly even selenium nuclei have been investigated via multiple Coulomb excitation effected with 39.2 MeV oxygen projectiles. The excitation probabilities of the first 2⁺ states of ⁷⁶Se, ⁷⁸Se and ⁸⁰Se have been determined directly by resolving inelastically and elastically scattered ⁴He projectiles on thin targets. These measurements yielded values of B(E2; 0⁺ → 2⁺) equal to $\text{0.421 ± 0.009 (}{}^{76}\text{Se}\text{), 0.321 ± 0.009 (}{}^{78}\text{Se}\text{)}\text{and}\text{0.248 ± 0.005 (}{}^{80}\text{Se}\text{) e}{}^2\text{· b}{}^2$. The multiple Coulomb excitation experiments enabled us to detect 2⁺ and 4⁺ levels in all isotopes studied up to 2.1 MeV. Moreover the double Coulomb excitation of 0⁺' states at 854.1 keV (⁷⁴Se), 1498.5 keV (⁷⁸Se), and 1478.3 keV (⁸⁰Se) was also observed. The enhancement of the E2 transition between these 0⁺' levels and the first 2⁺ states decreases rapidly with the increase of the neutron number, i.e., $\text{B(}\text{E}\text{2; 0}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{′ → 2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)/B(}\text{E}\text{2; 2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{→ 0}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{) = 2.04 ± 0.08 (}{}^{74}\text{Se}\text{), 0.91 ± 0.08 (}{}^{78}\text{Se),}\text{and}\text{0.28 ± 0.04 (}{}^{80}\text{Se}\text{)}$. States interpreted as the result of direct E3 Coulomb excitation have been observed at 2350.2, 2429.2, 2507.6, and 2717.6 keV in ⁷⁴Se, ⁷⁶Se, ⁷⁸Se and ⁸⁰Se, respectively. Their B(E3; 0⁺ → 3^?) values are $\text{2.1 ± 0.5 (}{}^{74}\text{Se}\text{), 4.0 ± 0.5 (}{}^{76}\text{Se}\text{), 2.7±0.3 (}{}^{78}\text{Se}\text{)}\text{and}\text{0.9 ± 0.2 ( × 10}{}^{\mathrm{?2}}\text{e}{}^2\text{·}\text{b}{}^3$ which represent enhancements of 9.2 ± 2.2, 16.6 ± 2.1, 10.8 ± 1.2 and 3.2 ± 0.7 respectively. Furthermore, angular distribution measurements of γ-rays following Coulomb excitation with 42 MeV ¹⁶O ions in ⁷⁸Se and ⁸⁰Se have been performed. The E2 content of the 2⁺' → 2⁺ transition in these two nuclei is 87.9 % (⁷⁸Se), and 96.2 % or 33.5 % (⁸⁰Se).     

(p,t) Reactions on odd-a nuclei and the weak-coupling core-excitation model

Excited $\text{7}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$ states to which enhanced L = 0 (p, t) transitions are observed have been identified in ⁴¹Ca at 2958 keV and in ⁵⁷Co at 2611 keV. A comparison of these (p, t) transitions with those to the 0⁺ states in ⁴⁰Ca at 3353 keV and in ⁵⁸Ni at 2940 keV leads to the conclusion that these states are obtained by weak-coupling of a $\text{f}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>7</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ particle and hole, respectively, to the excited 0⁺ states of the doubly even cores. It is suggested that these cases are examples of a rather general weak-coupling phenomenon.     

Multipole mixing ratios of γ-transltions in 182W

γ-γ directional correlation experiments were performed on 14 cascades in ¹⁸²W populated from the β^? decay of ¹⁸²Ta(115 d). Two Ge(Li) detectors were used in a coincidence arrangement, and the ¹⁸²Ta sources were dissolved in HF acid to minimize extranuclear perturbations. For the 1189keV, 2^? → 2⁺ transition, the measured directional correlation coefficients are consistent only with multipole mixing ratios $\text{δ}\text{(}\text{M}\text{2}\text{E}\text{1)}\text{= 0.45 ± 0.03}\text{and}\text{δ}\text{(E3}\text{E1)}\text{= ?0.67 ± 0.07}$. These mixing ratios are discussed and compared with the known conversion coefficients for the 1189keV transition. The E2/M1 multipole mixing ratios determined are (energy in keV): δ(66) = 0.15 ± 0.15, δ(85) = 0.31 ± 0.05, δ(114) = 0.31 ± 0.05, 0.56 ≦ δ(179) ≦ 1.36, δ(1121) = 12⁺²_?1, and δ(1231) = ?(32⁺¹⁴²_?15). The measured M2/E1 mixing ratios are: δ(68) = 0.03 ± 0.02, δ(152) = 0.014 ± 0.013 and δ(156) = ?0.13 ± 0.19.     

The half-lives of the first and second excited states in 66Ga

The half-lives of the first and second excited states at 43.9 and 66.3 keV in ⁶⁶Ga were determined by measuring the time dependence of the 43.9 and 22.4 keV γ-transition intensities. The levels in ⁶⁶Ga were populated by the ⁶⁶Za(p, n)⁶⁶Ga and ⁶³Cu(α, n)⁶⁶Ga reactions. The results are T_{$\text{1}\text{2}$}(43.9 keV) = 16(4) ns and T_{$\text{1}\text{2}$}(66.3 keV) = 23(2) ns. A g-factor measurement reported in the literature is reanalysed.     

States in 163Dy and 169Er populated in the (t,p) reaction

Angular distributions of protons from the ¹⁶¹Dy(t, p)¹⁶³Dy and ¹⁶⁷Er(t, p)¹⁶⁹Er reactions were studied, using 15 MeV and 17 MeV tritons from the McMaster University tandem Van de Graaff accelerator. The reaction products were analyzed with a magnetic spectrograph and detected with nuclear emulsions. Since the ¹⁶¹Dy target ground state is the $\text{5}\text{2}$⁺[642] orbital, a strong L = 0 transition was observed to the $\text{5}\text{2}$⁺[642] bandhead in ¹⁶³Dy, which was previously assigned at 251 keV. Also transitions to the $\text{7}\text{2}$, $\text{9}\text{2}$ and $\text{11}\text{2}$ band members were observed. Similarly, a strong L = 0 transition was observed to the $\text{7}\text{2}$⁺[633] bandhead at 244 keV in ¹⁶⁹Er, with the other band members only weakly populated. The angular distributions to the various members of these two bands can be described when higher-order reaction processes are taken into account. In ¹⁶³Dy, surprisingly strong L = 0 transitions were observed to levels at 1831 keV, 1937 keV and 2053 keV, with strengths of 23%, 30% and 37% of that for the $\text{5}\text{2}$⁺[642] bandhead. In ¹⁶⁹Er, the 905 keV level was populated with an L = 0 transition that had 31% of the strength observed for the strong L = 0 transition to the 244 keV level. The nature of these states is at present not understood.