High-spin states in 34CI

High-spin yrast states in ³⁴Cl have been studied with the reactions ³¹P(α, nγ)³⁴Cl at E_α = 11.7?16.3 MeV and ²⁴Mg(¹²C, pnγ)³⁴Cl at E(¹²C) = 32–35 MeV. Ambiguities in the ³⁴Cl level scheme for levels at E_x = 4.82 and 5.32 MeV have been resolved through combination of threshold measurements with the ³¹P + α reaction and gamma-gamma coincidence and E_γ-measurements with the ²⁴Mg + ¹²C reaction. Gamma-gamma coincidence and in-beam γ-γ angular correlation experiments have been performed employing a Compton-suppression spectrometer with a solid angle of 120 msr.Unambiguous spin-parity assignments of J^π = 6^?, 5⁺ and 7⁺ to the ³⁴Cl levels at E_x = 4.74, 4.82 and 5.32 MeV, respectively, are obtained.Previously unreported levels of high spin are found at E_x = 7.25 and 7.80 MeV with J^π = (9⁺) and (8⁺); τ_m = 200 ± 70 fs and 100 ± 70 fs, respectively. Excitation energies, mean lives, branching ratios and multipole mixing ratios are reported. The experimental results are compared with large-scale shell-model calculations. The high-spin yrast levels can be characterized by a rather simple shell-model structure.     

Lifetimes and branching ratios of excited states of 24Na

The decay of ²⁴Na levels below 4.3 MeV excitation was studied by means of the ²³Na(d, pγ)²⁴Na reaction at E_d = 2.45 MeV. Gamma-ray spectra were measured at three angles, in coincidence with proton groups detected around 180°. Excitation energies, branching ratios and Doppler shifts were determined. Mean lives were obtained for the levels at 1341 keV (62±15 fs), and 1846 keV (200±50 fs). The 1347 keV level has τ >3 ps. For other levels above 1 MeV upper limits of ≈ 60 fs are set. In some cases spin restrictions follow. In particular J = 2 is assigned to the 1341 keV level.     

Reactions of 40Ar with 159Tb, 142Nd and 144Sm; New α-activities from 189Bi, 173Pt and 177Au

Reactions of ⁴⁰Ar ions with targets of ¹⁵⁹Tb, ¹⁴²Nd, and ¹⁴⁴Sm have been studied at energies below 300 MeV with a helium gas-jet system. Excitation functions for (Ar, xn) reactions, where x = 5–10, were obtained for the radioactive products that decay by α-emission. Based on the characteristics of these excitation functions and on the systematics of α-decay, evidence is presented for the existence of the nuclides ¹⁸⁹Bi with α-particle energy E_α = 6.67±0.01 MeV and half-life < 1.5 sec, and ¹⁷³Pt with E_α = 6.19±0.01 MeV; and for the emission from ¹⁷⁷Au of an α-particle with E_α = 6.15±0.01 MeV.     

Study of 60Zn and 61Zn

The (¹²C, ¹⁰Be) and (¹²C, ⁹Be) reactions on ⁵⁸Ni were studied at 77 MeV. New levels were determined for both residual nuclei, ⁶⁰Zn and ⁶¹Zn. For ⁶¹Zn, levels and a new ground state mass were also measured with the ⁶⁴Zn(³He, ⁶He) reaction. A mass excess for ⁶¹Zn of ?56333±23 keV was obtained. Angular distributions for the ¹²C induced reactions are compared with finite range DWBA calculations and found to be insensitive to L? and J-transfer.     

Spectroscopy of 32P

Particle-gamma angular correlations have been measured with the ²⁹Si(α,pγ)³²P reaction at bombarding energies E_α = 10.65, 10.69 and 11.00 MeV. Together with DSA lifetime measurements these experiments lead to seven unambiguous spin assignments to levels below 3.5 MeV excitation energy in ³²P. In addition, the measured mixing ratios and branching ratios yield many dipole and quadrupole transition strengths. The previously known 3.44 MeV level is a doublet with components at 3 443.0±0.6 and 3 444.0±0.9 keV.     

The 64Ni(6Li,d)68Zn reaction

The ⁶⁴Ni(⁶Li, d)⁶⁸Zn reaction has been studied at 28 MeV bombarding energy. For several low-lying states in ⁶⁸Zn, S-values extracted via DWBA analysis are compared with shell model and collective model (IBA) predictions.     

A study of 28Si(α, γ)32S resonances below Eα = 3.83 MeV

The γ-decays of eleven resonances in the ²⁸Si(α,γ)³²S reaction below E_α = 3.83 MeV have been studied using a large Ge(Li) detector. Results for branching ratios differ considerably from previous NaI work. The previous discrepancy in radiative strengths for the 2.61 MeV resonance is explained by this data. The strengths of the first five resonances at E_α = 1.77, 1.99, 2.19, 2.37 and 2.42 MeV appear to be (39 ± 13)% lower than previously reported. Spin-parities of l^?, 2⁺ and 2⁺ have been assigned to the levels at 8.50, 8.69 and 8.86 MeV respectively. The radiative width of the E_p = 1.467 MeV, J^π = 3^? resonance in the ³¹P(p,γ)³²S reaction has also been measured.     

Electromagnetic transitions in 42Ti

Levels in ⁴²Ti up to 4 MeV have been investigated using the ⁴⁰Ca(³He, n)⁴²Ti reaction and a neutron time-of-flight method. Using the DSA method, lifetimes of 750±300, > 200, 350±250, > 2000 and < 250 fs have been measured for levels at E_x = 1.56, 1.85, 2.40, 2.68 and 3.74 MeV respectively. The level at E_x = 3043.0±1.5 keV is tentatively identified as the 6⁺ member of the $\text{(f}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>7</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{)}{}^2$ configuration, and its mean life has been measured as 26±5 ns by a direct timing method. Using isospin formalism, transition strengths are compared with theoretical and experimental values for ⁴²Ca and ⁴²Sc.     

Etude du noyau 63Cu par la reaction 60Ni(α, pγ)63Cu

The level structure and the decay properties of low-lying levels in ⁶³Cu have been investigated via the ⁶⁰Ni(α, pγ)⁶³Cu reaction at E_α = 11.7MeV. Using a Ge(Li) detector, the correlations of twenty-five primary γ-rays in coincidence with protons, stopped in an annular detector at approximatively 180° with respect to the beam direction, were measured. From these measurements, branching ratios, γ-ray mixing ratios and spin assignments have been obtained for most of the levels up to 2.4 MeV excitation.     

A study of the 35Cl(p, γ)36Ar reaction and the energy levels of 36Ar

Proton energies and strengths of (p,γ) and (p, p₁) resonances of the ³⁵Cl + p reaction were determined for E_p = 0.4?3.0 MeV and 1.9?3.0 MeV, respectively. The γ-decay of 84 resonances was studied with a 40 cm³ Ge(Li) detector. The branching ratios and excitation energies of 38 bound levels were determined. A new bound level was observed at E_x = 8472.0 ± 1.0 keV. Doppler-shift attenuation experiments yielded lifetimes of 20 bound levels. Spins and/or parities for bound levels and resonances were derived on the basis of observed transition strengths.     

Spectroscopy of 32P (II)

Spins, parities and transition probabilities of levels in ³²P at E_x > 3.5 MeV have been determined with the ²⁹Si(α, pγ)³²P reaction at bombarding energies of E_α = 12.80, 12.93 and 16.30 MeV. Proton-gamma angular correlation experiments and DSA lifetime measurements lead to six unambiguous spin assignments and to many spin limitations. The measured mixing and branching ratios yield many transition strengths for dipole and electric quadrupole transitions. Five, sofar unknown, energy levels are reported. A doublet at 4.03 MeV excitation energy and a high-spin state (E_x = 4.27 MeV; J^π = 5^?) were observed. Shell-model predictions have been compared to the present experimental results.     

The decay of isoscalar giant resonances in 24Mg and 40Ca

In this paper we present data on the charged-particle decay of the isoscalar 2⁺ strength between 10 and 20 MeV excitation energy (E_x) in ²⁴Mg and ⁴⁰Ca. The isoscalar strength was excited by inelastic scattering of 120MeV α-particles at 14° and 12.5° for ²⁴Mg and ⁴⁰Ca, respectively. The charged particles originating from the decay were detected in coincidence with the α′ particles at several angles in the scattering plane. J^π assignments of the decaying states were made on the basis of the angular correlation pattern of the α₀ decay to the ground state of ²⁰Ne and ³⁶Ar, respectively, using a DWBA calculation for the m-state population of the decaying state.For ⁴⁰Ca, about 40% of the E2 EWSR is found to be located in the interval E_x = 13.5 ± 1.5 MeV, which is similar to what has been found from previous inelastic scattering experiments at E_x = 18 ± 2 MeV, but much more than such experiments located in the region E_x = 12–15 MeV. The difference for the region E_x < 16 MeV is due to the fact that from our α₀ angular correlation pattern we conclude that virtually no continuum is excited in the (α, α′) process up to E_x = 16 MeV while all previous inelastic hadron scattering experiments assumed such a continuum to be present. The E2 strength distribution for ⁴⁰Ca thus obtained is very different from what previous theoretical calculations predict. For ²⁴Mg about 30% of the E2 EWSR is present in the interval 12.5 ? E_x ? experiments. 16.5 MeV which again is about twice as much as deduced from previous inelastic scattering The observed branching ratios are compared with calculated ones assuming statistical decay. Reasonable agreement was obtained for ⁴⁰Ca, but for ²⁴Mg especially the α₀-decay branch and to a lesser extent also the p₁ one are much stronger than the statistical calculations predict, indicating that especially the α₀ decay occurs mainly in a non-statistical way.A similar conclusion can be drawn from the behaviour of the forward-backward asymmetry in the angular correlations of the decay particles as a function of the excitation energy FBA(E_x). For ⁴⁰Ca, FBA(E_x) for all decay channels increases smoothly on the average once E_x is above a well-defined threshold, which is due to the onset of knock-out processes. For ²⁴Mg, however, the FBA(E_x) for the α₀ shows a large fluctuation as a function of E_x, indicating an interference process between semi-direct decay and knock-out processes.     

Identification of the nuclide 226U

Identification of the uranium isotope ²²⁶U is reported. This nuclide was produced in bombardments of ²³²Th with 140 MeV ⁴He ions. It is observed to decay by α-particle emission with a half-life of 0.5±0.2 sec and has an α-particle energy of E_α = 7.43±0.03 MeV, giving a Q-value of Q_α = 7.56±0.03 MeV. Detection was achieved by on-line counting and pulsed-cyclotron beam techniques. It is also observed that the maximum yields for (α, p(x ? 1 )n) reactions are about ten times greater than those for (α, xn) reactions at these energies.     

The 56Fe(α, γ)60Ni reaction at excitation energies in the region of the giant dipole resonance

Excitation functions for the ⁵⁶Fe(α, γ₀)⁶⁰Ni and ⁵⁶Fe(α, γ₁)⁶⁰Ni reactions have been measured at 90° to the beam direction over the bombarding energy range 8.0–17.6 MeV. Gamma-ray angular distributions were measured at ten bombarding energies. Excitation functions for the ⁵⁹Co(p, γ₀)⁶⁰Ni and ⁵⁹Co(p, γ₁)⁶⁰Ni reactions were measured over the range E_x = 16.58–16.92 MeV and compared with the (α, γ) data. The angular distribution data indicate that the (α, γ₀) and (α,γ₁) reactions proceed through 1^?, and 1^? and 3^? states, respectively. The (α, γ) excitation functions are discussed with respect to isospin splitting of the ⁶⁰Ni giant dipole resonance. The fine structure observed in the excitation functions is shown to be most probably due to Ericson fluctuations. The gross (α, γ) cross sections are shown to be in reasonable agreement with the results of calculations made using the theory of Hauser and Feshbach assuming excitation of the giant dipole resonance.     

Excited states of 10B from the 6Li(α, γ) and 9Be(p, γ) reactions

Excitation functions for the (α, γ) and (p, γ) reactions leading to ¹⁰B have been measured at θ = 0° in the energy range from E_x = 6.7 to 7.6 MeV. Two resonances corresponding to levels at 6.88 and 7.44 MeV are observed. Branching ratios extracted from γ-ray spectra are the same in both reactions for the 6.88 MeV (1^?, T = 0 + 1) level, but different at 7.44 MeV. The T = 0 + 1 level at 7.44 MeV (Γ = 90±10keV) is assigned 2^? or 2⁺ from its strong branch to the 3⁺ ground state. We find no evidence for a second isospin mixed 1^? state.     

12C(6Li,d)16O and16O(6Li,d)20Ne at E(6Li) = 42 MeV

Spectra up to 25 MeV excitation in ¹⁶O have been obtained from ¹²C(⁶Li, d) at 42 MeV bombarding energy. Angular distributions have been measured for ten states, including two J^π = 1^? states of astrophysical interest, and appear to be mostly direct α-transfer. In addition, data for ¹⁶(⁶Li, d)²⁰Ne(g.s.) and ²⁰Ne¹(2⁺) have been obtained. Excitation energies and widths have been extracted for states in ¹⁶O, including several states at E_x > 15 MeV. Alpha spectroscopic factors, S_α, and reduced α-widths, γ²_α and θ²_α have been deduced for levels in ¹⁶O and ²⁰Ne and compared with theoretical predictions. The J^π = 1^? levels in ¹⁶O at 7.12 and 9.6 MeV excitation appear to have comparable S_α and γ²_α values, viz. $\text{γ}{}^2{}_{\mathrm{\alpha }}\text{(7.12 MeV)}\text{γ}{}^2{}_{\mathrm{\alpha }}\text{(9.6}\text{MeV}\text{) = 0.6}{}^{\mathrm{+1.7}}{}_{\mathrm{?0.3}}$. Both states have apparent S_α and γ²_α values smaller than that for the J^π = 2⁺ “α-cluster” state at 6.9 MeV however. Furthermore, the observed line shape for the J^α = 1^?, 9.6 MeV level indicates Γ_c.m. = 400 ± 50 keV, which is substantially less than the accepted width for this level Γ_c.m. = 510±60 keV). The possible implications of these results for stellar helium burning calculations are discussed.     

Radiative width for the 10.35−6.92 MeV transition in 16O

From a measurement of the cross section for ¹²C(α, γ)¹⁶O at the E_α = 4.253±0.014 MeV(E = 10.352±0.011 MeV) resonance, the radiative width for the 10.35 MeV (J^π = 4⁺) to 6.92 MeV (J^π = 2⁺) transition was determined to be Γ_γ = 58±7 meV. This is somewhat higher than the value predicted by large j-j shell-model calculations, but agrees well with predictions based on the rotational and the SU(3) models for a 4p-4h band, and the deformed- basis calculation of Green and Brown.     

16O, 24, 26Mg, 28Si, 32S, 40Ca(α, 12C) and multi-α-cluster transfer reactions

The (α, ¹²C) reaction has been studied on a variety of nuclei, A = 16 to 40, at E_α = 90.3 MeV. The data indicate a rapid fall-off of cross sections with increasing target mass, approximately as A_t^{?5 ± 1}. This and other systematics are used to estimate cross sections for multi-α-cluster transfer reactions in heavy nuclei and suggest σ_T < 10^?34 cm² consistent with present experimental limits. The data for ²⁴Mg(α, ¹²C)¹⁶O has been studied in more detail and indicates a selective population of final states including ¹⁶O g.s., with oscillatory angular distributions in some instances. Finite-range distorted-wave Born approximation calculations for direct ⁸Be pickup have been performed utilizing cluster overlap amplitudes obtained with zero-order SU(3) wave functions. The calculations are in qualitative, and often quantitative, agreement with shapes and absolute magnitudes of the measured angular distributions although the cross sections for certain α-cluster states (2⁺, E_x ≈ 7 MeV; 4⁺, E_x ≈ 10.3 MeV) are greatly overestimated with this model. Other more complicated mechanisms, such as successive α-transfer, cannot be excluded. The systematics of the calculated ⁸Be cluster overlaps and the calculated and measured (α, ¹²C) cross sections are investigated, and implications for multi-α-cluster transfer reactions are discussed.     

Investigation of the 3.46 MeV isomeric level of 38K with the 24Mg(16O,pnγ)38K reaction

The τ_{$\text{1}\text{2}$} = 22 μs isomeric level of ³⁸K at an excitation energy of 3458.0 ± 0.2keVf is strongly populated in the ²⁴Mg(¹⁶O, pnγ)³⁸K reaction. Delayed γ-rays are studied with Ge(Li), Si(Li), and NaI detectors. Accurate excitation energies, branching ratios and lifetimes of levels involved in the decay of the isomeric state are determined. The isomeric level predominantly decays by a dipole transition of 38.03±0.03 keV with a total conversion coefficient of α_T = 0.42 ± 0.15. Mean lives of ³⁸K levels are measured with the recoil-distance method. The results are τ_m = 10.1 ± 0.9 ps, 1.41 ± 0.14 ns and 101 ± 15 ps for the levels at excitation energies of 0.46, 2.65 and 3.42 MeV, respectively. It is suggested that the (1f_{$\text{7}\text{2}$})² structure of a low-lying J^π = 7⁺ state in combination with the selection rules for γ-decay in a self-conjugate nucleus is responsible for the isomerism.     

The (d, 6Li) reaction on 12C, 16O, 24Mg, 40Ca and 58Ni at 54.25 MeV

The (d, ⁶Li) reaction was studied at E_d = 54.25 MeV on the target nuclei ¹²C, ¹⁶O, ²⁴Mg, ⁴⁰Ca and ⁵⁸Ni. The data were analyzed with finite-range DWBA calculations. The absolute values of the α-cluster spectroscopic factors and the target mass dependence of the relative S_α were in agreement with those in the (p, pα) reaction at E_p = 100 and 157 MeV. The theoretical calculations of the relative S_α were in better agreement with the experimental data at higher energy than at the lower energies.