High-spin states in89Nb,88Zr and88Nb with a shell-model description of theN=48 andN=47 nuclei

The reactions⁸⁹Y(α,4nγ),⁸⁹Y(α,p4nγ) and⁸⁹Y(α,5nγ) were used to populate high-spin states in, respectively,⁸⁹Nb,⁸⁸Zr and the previously unstudied nucleus⁸⁸Nb. These states were deduced via in-beam gamma-ray spectroscopy. The results of a shell-model study ofN=48⁸⁸Zr,⁹⁰Mo,⁸⁷Y,⁸⁹Nb andN=47⁸⁷Zr,⁸⁸Nb nuclei are compared to experiment.     

Absence of proton weak coupling states in93Nb

The reactions⁹³Nb(p, p)⁹³Nb,⁹³Nb(p, n)⁹³Mo, and⁹³Nb(p, p′) through isobaric analog resonances in⁹⁴Mo have been used to study the structure of low-lying⁹³Nb states, specifically the degree to which these states can be described as single protons coupled to the core states of⁹²Zr. Excitation curves were obtained from 5.8 to 7.6 MeV incident proton energy, for eight states in⁹³Nb. Results of this work are compared to results from Coulomb excitation studies,⁹³Nb(n, n′γ),⁹³Nb(d,p),⁹²Zr(³He,d),⁹⁴Mo(d,³He) and other related work.     

Core polarization and 5/2+ states in91Nb

The energies and spectroscopic factors ofJ ^π=5/2⁺ states of nucleus⁹¹Nb excited via a reaction transferring a proton to the 2d _5/2 orbit of⁹⁰Zr target state have been calculated. Effective two-body interaction used has been extracted from the experimentally observed two-body energies of (1g ₉ ^2/?1 (n) 2d _5/2(n)), (1g ₉ ^2/?1 (n) 1g _9/2(p)) and (1g _9/2(p)-2d _9/2(n)) multiplets in⁹⁰Zr,⁹⁰Nb and⁹²Nb nuclei respectively. Most of the calculated energies and the strengths ofJ ^π=5/2⁺ levels have reasonably good counterparts in the experimental spectrum, however the calculation shows about 17% strength lying at 6.8 MeV, without having a confirmed counterpart in the observed level scheme. The reduced transition strengthsB(M1) forM l transitions from 5/2^? T>(11/2) state to the various components of 5/2⁺ T<(=9/2) state have also been reported; but the corresponding experimental values are not available. The main feature of the reduced transition strengths is that theM1 transition to the state at 3.69 MeV is inhibited whereas that to the state at 6.79 MeV is enhanced, the relevant core-configuration, interfering destructively in the former case and constructively in the latter.     

Nuclear spectroscopy of90Y

The level structure of⁹⁰Y has been studied using the⁹¹Zr(t,α)⁹⁰Y and⁸⁹Y(n,γ)⁹⁰Y reactions. The proton pickup reaction was studied with 17 MeV tritons and a Q3D spectrometer. In the thermal⁸⁹Y(n, γ)⁹⁰Y reactionγ-rays from ≈100 to 6,857 keV were observed. In addition to previously known states and configurations, the ten states of theπ(p 3/2)^?1 v(d 5/2)¹ andπ(f 5/2)^?1 v(d 5/2)¹ configurations are assigned. Also many other new levels are identified from the (n, γ) data. The 0?state of theπ(f 5/2)^?1 v(d 5/2)¹ is assigned at 3,130keV. Finite-range shell model calculations suggest that the tensor force is necessary to reproduce the experimentally observed splittings.     

Cross section measurements on zirconium isotopes for ~14 MeV neutrons and their theoretical calculations of excitation functions

The cross sections for the ⁹⁴Zr(n,d*)^93m+gY, ⁹⁶Zr(n,γ)⁹⁷Z, ⁹⁶Zr(n,2n)⁹⁵Zr, ⁹⁰Zr(n,α)^87mSr, ⁹⁴Zr(n,α)⁹¹Sr,⁹⁰Zr(n,p)^90mY, ⁹²Zr(n,p)⁹²Y, and ⁹⁴Zr(n,p)⁹⁴Y reactions have been measured in the neutron energy range of 13.5-14.8 MeV by means of the activation technique. The neutrons were produced via the D-T reaction. A high-purity germanium detector with high energy resolution was used to measure the induced γ activities. In combination with the nuclear reaction theoretical models, the excitation curves of the above-mentioned eight nuclear reactions within the incident neutron energy range from the threshold to 20 MeV were obtained by adopting the nuclear theoretical model program system Talys-1.9. The resulting experimental cross sections were analyzed and compared with the experimental data from published studies. Calculations were performed using Talys-1.9 and are in agreement with our experimental results, previous experimental values, as well as results of the theoretical excitation curves at the corresponding energies. The theoretical excitation curves generally match the experimental data well.     

Statistical model calculations for medium and strong absorption in theA=90 region

Calculations of elastic, inelastic and total neutron cross sections as well as of (p, n) reaction cross sections in theA=90 mass region have been performed, using the statistical model of Hofmann, Richert, Tepel and Weidenmüller. The optical model parameters were obtained by Finckh et al. from the neutron decay of IAR in the⁹¹Zr(p, n)⁹¹ Nb reaction. The calculations are in very good agreement with the published experimental data. The optical model parameters proved to be satisfactory up to aboutE _n=8.0 MeV. The present work might be relevant to the evaluation of neutron data for reactor technology.     

Wirkungsquerschnitte und Isomerenverhältnis für die Reaktionen89Y(α, 3n)90g Nb und89Y(α, 3n)90m Nb

Absolute cross-sections and isomeric cross-section ratios have been measured for the reactions⁸⁹Y(α, 3n)^{90g, 90m} Nb. The energy of the α-particles was varied between 34 and 54 MeV. The experimental isomeric ratios are compared with statistical-model calculations.     

Spectroscopy of88Y homologous levels

The⁹¹Zr( $z\bar p$ ,α)⁸⁸Y reaction has been studied at incident energy of 22 MeV using a polarized proton source and a Q3D spectrometer. The differential cross sections and asymmetries for transitions to levels of⁸⁸Y homologous to the lowest excitation energy states of⁸⁷Y have been measured and interpreted both in terms of the experimental differential cross sections and asymmetries of the parent⁸⁷Y states and by means of the finite-range distorted wave Born approximation theory using conventional Woods-Saxonα-particle potential. The advantage of the concept of homology consists in having to deal with a uniquel-transfer, that given by the transition to the corresponding parent state. In order to validate the concept of homology as a spectroscopic tool to identify spin, parity and dominant configuration of highly excited states in ( $z\bar p$ ,α) reaction on odd mass target nuclei, shell model calculations have been performed. Several new attributions of spin and parity for⁸⁸Y residual nucleus are proposed.     

Elektronenlawinen und elektrischer Durchschlag in KBr-Kristallen

^90m Nb was produced by the reaction⁹⁰Zr(d, 2n). Comparison of its half-lives in two different chemical environments (Nb atoms in metallic Zr and in the niobium-fluoride complex) showed no difference greater than the experimental error of 1%, whileCooper et al. have reported that the half-life of^90m Nb nuclei is shorter by 3.6% in metallic Nb than in the niobium-fluoride complex. — In addition, the absolute value of the half-life of^90m Nb in metallic Zr was determined to beT _1/2=(19.2±0.3) sec.     

The level scheme of91Nb from the reaction90Zr (p, γ)91Nb

The level scheme of⁹¹Nb has been investigated with the reaction⁹⁰Zr(p, γ)⁹¹Nb. Proton energies between 3.0 and 7.2 MeV were used. The γ spectra were taken with Ge(Li) detectors. Primary γ transitions to 36 excited states of⁹¹Nb up to 3.8 MeV excitation energy and many secondary γ transitions from the decay of those states were observed, leading to an extension of the known level scheme. The proton binding energy for⁹¹Nb was determined as (5167± 5) keV. Eleven γ transitions in⁹⁰Zr, part of them new, from the competing reaction⁹⁰Zr(p, p′ γ) were also observed.     

The excitation functions and Isomer ratios for neutron-induced reactions on Mo and Zr

Absolute cross sections of the reactions ⁹²Mo(n, 2n)^91m,91gMo, ⁹²Mo(n, p)⁹²Nb and ⁹²Mo(n, α)^{89m, 89g}Zr, relative cross sections of the reaction ⁹⁰Zr(n, 2n) ^89mZr and isomer ratios of the ⁹⁰Zr(n, 2n) reaction have been measured in the neutron energy range 13–15 MeV. The results for the (n, 2n) reactions are in good agreement with those of the previous studies. The present results for the (n, p) and (n, α) reactions are in disagreement with the previous works. The experimental data are analysed by the statistical model to determine the level-density parameter a, the moment of inertia ? and the strength of the γ-ray transition S_l in order to simultaneously reproduce the experimental data on the excitation function and the isomer ratio in the (n, 2n) reaction. The γ-ray competition, the yrast level and the experimental information on the excited levels of the residual nucleus in the (n, 2n) reaction are taken into account. The obtained values of a, ? and S_l are consistent with those deduced from other types of nuclear data.     

A study of the50Cr(d,n)51Mn and54Fe(d,n)55Co reactions

The⁵⁰Cr(d, n)⁵¹Mn and⁵⁴Fe(d, n)⁵⁵Co reactions have been studied at an incident deuteron energy of 5.5 MeV. Angular distributions of neutron groups to a number of low-lying levels in the residual nuclei have been recorded. Time-of-flight techniques have been used to record neutron spectra. A liquid scintillator with pulse-shape discrimination property has been used as neutron detector. DWBA calculations have been performed and relative spectroscopic strengths determined for transitions with variousl _p values. The ratios between spectroscopic strengths forl _p =3 andl _p =1 transitions were found to be considerably larger than corresponding ratios obtained from the (³He,d) reactions. Two-step stripping processes competing with the direct stripping process are suggested as explanation of the discrepancy between the (d, n) and the (³He,d) results.     

Two-nucleon pick-up from spin-12 targets (II). 89Y

The angular distributions for the ⁸⁹Y(p, t), (p, τ), and (d, α) reactions are compared to DWBA predictions and to the data for the ⁹⁰Zr(p, t) and (d, α) reactions. Several new spins are assigned to levels of ⁸⁷Y. A weak coupling model is tested by the comparison between the reactions on ⁸⁹Y and ⁹⁰Zr, and found to fail. The (d, α) reaction is found to populate strongly levels at excitation energies of 2.70 MeV and 3.07 MeV in ⁸⁷Sr, corresponding roughly in Q-value and strength to states formed in ths ⁸⁸Sr(d, α)⁸⁶Rb reaction.     

The (n, 2n) excitation functions for93Nb and103Rh with special respect to the isomeric states in92Nb and102Rh

By means of the activation technique the excitation functions for the reactions⁹³Nb(n,2n)^92mNb(10.15d),¹⁰³Rh(n,2n)^102mRh(2.9y), and¹⁰³Rh(n,2n)^102gRh(206d) were measured with an average total uncertainty of about ±8% between 10 and 20 MeV neutron energy. In addition the total⁹³Nb(n, 2n) cross-section was compared with the⁵⁹Co(n, 2n) cross-section at 16.8 MeV by direct neutron detection using the time-of-flight technique. The results are compared with statistical theory, especially with theoretical expectations for the isomeric cross-section ratios, which are only in reasonable agreement with the experiment if one assumes a ground state spinI _g=5 for⁹²Nb andI _g=2 for¹⁰²Rh.     

Heavy-ion in-beam studies of the nucleus87Nb

High spin states in the transitional nucleus⁸⁷Nb up to 14 MeV excitation have been established for the first time via the reactions⁴⁰Ca(⁵⁰Cr, 3p)⁸⁷Nb and⁵⁸Ni (³²S, 3p)⁸⁷Nb. The⁸⁷Nbγ-radiations have been identified throughγ-ray spectra taken in coincidence with the evaporation residues detected in the Daresbury recoil separator or with multiple proton emission. Gamma-gamma coincidences, DCO ratios,γ-ray angular distributions and lifetimes have been measured. A total of some 100 transitions have been placed into a level scheme comprising of sixty states. The one-quasiparticle (1qp) bands of either parity and several other band-like structures have been identified, some containing alignedg _9/2 nucleons. Moderately enhancedE2 in-band transitions of 13–48 W.u. as well as several weakE2 yrast transitions connecting bands with different quasiparticle numbers have been found. Similarities with respect to theN=46 isotones⁸³Rb,⁸⁴Sr,⁸⁵Y,⁸⁶Zr and⁸⁸Mo are discussed.     

90,91Zr photoproton spectra and the core-excitation model

Photoproton energy spectra have been measured for the ^90,91Zr(γ,P)^89,90Y reactions at an E_γ endpoint energy of 30 MeV, and for the ^90,91Zr,(e, e'p)^89,90Y reactions at a number of different electron beam energies around E_e = 21 MeV. Isotopically enriched target foils of metallic ⁹⁰Zr(97.65%) and ⁹¹Zr(89.2%) were used, and the proton spectra measured at 90°. Prominent proton groups are observed in the ⁹¹Zr spectra, particularly around E_p ≈ 11 MeV, which closely resemble groups produced in the ⁹⁰Zr photoreactions. Moreover, the correlating non-ground state proton groups are being produced in transitions leaving the corresponding ⁸⁹Y, ⁹⁰Y residual nuclei in excited levels which also correlate in energy. These photoproton groups from ⁹⁰Zr have previously been identified as representing T_> strength. A qualitative explanation is proposed in terms of the core-excitation model, in which the structure in the ⁹¹Zr proton spectrum is described as representing dipole $\text{T}{}_{\mathrm{>}}\text{(T =}\text{13}\text{2}\text{)}$ strength formed by coupling the 2d$\text{5}\text{2}$ neutron to dipole T_> (T = 6) excitations of a ⁹⁰Zr core.     

The mechanism of the (p, α) reaction: Pick-up or knock-out?

Several early studies of the (p, α) reaction to discrete states of the final nucleus indicated that it proceeds mainly by the pick-up mechanism, whereas more recent experiments provide qualitative arguments in favour of the knock-out mechanism. This paper reports calculations showing that the angular distributions and analysing powers of the^90,92Zr(p, α)^87,89Y and¹¹⁸Sn(p, α)¹¹⁵In reactions can be equally well fitted by distorted wave calculations using either mechanism.     

Study of the 92,96Zr(d, α)90,94Y reactions

The hole-hole structure of ⁹⁴Y was studied via the reaction ⁹⁶Zr(d, α)⁹⁴Y and compared to the particle-hole structure of ⁹⁰Y, which was populated by the reaction ⁹²Zr(d, α)⁹⁰Y. The deuteron beam energy was 28 MeV. Angular distributions of both reactions were obtained for the prominent lines. New states of ⁹⁴Y were observed at 0.44, 1.17, 1.39, 1.53, 1.82, 1.90, 2.17, 2.33, 2.46 and 2.77 MeV. Our data are consistent with the previously reported 2^? assignment of the ground state, and we suggest J^π = 3^? for the 0.44 MeV state, these being members of the $\text{(π2}\text{p}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{, ν2}\text{d}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>3</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}\text{)}$ doublet. The 1.17 state is suggested to be a member of the $\text{(πp}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>3</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}\text{, ν}\text{d}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}\text{)}$ multiplet. The Q-value of the ⁹⁶Zr(d, α)⁹⁴Y reaction was measured to be 7.609 ± 0.020 MeV. The reaction ⁹⁴Zr(d, α) was performed at two angles. Several new states of ⁹²Y were observed at 0.31, 0.78, 1.03, 1.31, 1.49, 1.69 and 1.89 MeV.     

The beta decay of88gNb and88mNb

The level structure of⁸⁸Zr is investigated via the beta decay of^88g Nb and^88m Nb whose half-lives are measured to be 14.4±0.2 m and 7.7±0.1 m, respectively. The decay properties are studied by means of beta and gamma spectroscopy techniques. The level structure of⁸⁸Zr populated in the decays of both isomers is proposed with deducedJ ^π values. Theβ-decay energies for^88g Nb and^88m Nb are measured to be 7.55±0.10 and 7.59±0.10 MeV, respectively. The structure is discussed in terms of the shell model.