Level structure of 184W from the 183W(n, γ) reaction

The level structure of ¹⁸⁴W has been studied from the prompt γ-rays emitted following the capture of both thermal and 2 keV neutrons by ¹⁸³W. Energies and intensities were measured for both the primary and the secondary (low-energy) prompt γ-rays. From these data, a level scheme is proposed for ¹⁸⁴W in which all the I^π = 0⁺, 1⁺ and 2⁺ states below ≈ 2.0 MeV are observed. Where possible, rotational-band assignments have been made to these and other levels. Additional evidence is presented which confirms the 1130 keV state as being the band head of a K^π = 2^? octupole vibrational band. Admixed K^π = 0⁺ and 2⁺ bands are established at 1322 and 1386 keV, respectively, with the I^π = 2⁺ states (at 1431 and 1386 keV) having a mutual admixture of ≈ 12%. In the energy region above 1.5 MeV, the following bands and band-head energies are identified: K^π = 1⁺, 1613 keV; K^π = 0⁺, 1614 keV; K^π = 1⁺, 1713 keV; K^π = 2⁺, 1877 keV. The neutron binding energy in ¹⁸⁴W has been determined to be 7411.1±0.6 keV. The band structure of the 1613 keV (1⁺) and 1614 keV (0⁺) bands is observed to be strongly distorted, the observed $\text{A (}\text{h}\text{?}{}^2\text{/2}\text{I}\text{)}$ values being ≈ 3.6 keV and ≈ 32 keV, respectively. This strong distortion is shown to be explainable in terms of Coriolis coupling of reasonable strength between the two bands. A similar explanation is shown to account for the somewhat less anomalous A-values (22.8 keV and 14.0 keV, respectively) of the 2⁺ band at 1386 keV and the 3⁺ band at 1425 keV. The results of a phenomenological fiveband-mixing analysis involving the K^π = 0⁺ and 2⁺ bands below ≈ 1.5 MeV are presented and discussed. These calculations indicate, among other things, that the direct E2 matrix element connecting the 1322 keV, K^π = 0⁺ band and the ground-state band is quite small, possibly zero. They also indicate that a nonzero E2 matrix element exists between this excited K^π = 0⁺ band and the γ-vibrational band and that the magnitude of this element is comparable with that between the γ-vibrational and ground-state bands. Arguments favoring and apparently refuting the interpretation of the 1322 keV, 0⁺ band as a “two-phonon γ-vibration” are presented.     

Nuclear levels in228Th populated in the decay of228Pa

The electron-capture decay of²²⁸Pa to levels in²²⁸Th has been studied using mass-separated sources and high-resolutionγ-ray and conversion-electron spectroscopy. A level at 979.5 keV is assigned as 2⁺ member of a second excited K_π=0⁺ band, with the 0⁺ band head at 938.6 keV. The 2⁺ and 3⁺ members of a second excited K_π=2⁺ band at 1153.5 and 1200.5 keV, which decay by strongE0 transitions to the 969 keVγ-vibrational band, are confirmed. In addition we tentatively propose a K_π=1⁺ band at 944 keV. The K_π=0^?, 1^? and 2^? members of the octupole quadruplet are confirmed, and theγ decay of these levels is analysed in an approach, in which the mixing of the octupole bands by the Coriolis interaction is taken into account. It is suggested that octupole correlations might be important for theE1 transition moments. A total of 29 levels is observed between ～1.4 and ～2.0 MeV, for which the nuclear structure, and the possible assignment to rotational bands, is unclear.     

High-spin states in26Mg

Theγ-decays of levels in²⁶Mg have been investigated up to 12.5 MeV excitation energy by proton-γ-ray coincidence measurements in the²³Na(α, pγ) reaction at 14.2 and 16 MeV bombarding energy. Lifetime-measurements, made with the Doppler-shift attenuation method, and proton-γ-ray angular-correlation measurements were performed at E_α=14.2 MeV. Many high-spin states were observed, among them levels at 6,978 (5⁺), 7,283(4^?), 7,395(5⁺), 7,953(5^?), 8,202(6⁺), 8,472(6⁺), 9,065(5), 9,112(6⁺), 9,169(6^?), 9,383 (6⁺), 9,542(5), 9,829(7⁺), 9,989(6⁺) and 12,479(8⁺, 7^?) keV excitation energy. The spectrum of positive-parity states and their electromagnetic properties are reproduced with good accuracy by shell-model calculations which employ a unifieds-d shell Hamiltonian and the unrestricted configuration space of the 0d _5/2 1s _1/2 0d _3/2 shell. Members of five inferred rotational bands, withK ^π=0⁺, 2⁺, 3⁺, 0⁺ and 3^? have been observed up to at leastI=6. TheK ^π=2⁺ band shows strong anomalies of excitation energies andE2 transition rates near theI=6 state. The static intrinsic quadrupole moments calculated from the shell model wave functions indicate transitions from prolate to oblate deformation within theK ^π=2⁺ band and also the ground state band. The lowest lyingI ^π=4⁺ state appears to be “spherical” and cannot be associated with a rotational band.     

Levels of 234U and 236U excited by the (d,d') reaction

The energy levels of ²³⁴U and ²³⁶U have been studied through the inelastic scattering of 16 MeV douterons. A magnetic spectrograph was used to momentum-analyse the scattered deuterons at θ = 90° and 125°. Excited in both ²³⁴U and ²³⁶U were the ground state bands up to and including the 8⁺ members, the K^π = 0⁺β-vibrations, the K^π = 2⁺γ-vibrations, and the K^π = 0^? octupole vibrational bands. In ²³⁴U, additional levels at 1023 and 1126 keV are ascribed to a K^π = 2^? band, levels at 1238, 1312, and 1446 keV are identified as members of either a K^π = 0^? or 1^? configuration, and other tentative assignments are made for members of K^π = 1^? and 3^? configurations. Relative reduced transition probabilities, B(E2), to the 2⁺ rotational and γ-vibrational states are generally found to be in good agreement with Coulomb excitation measurements. Relative B(E3) values for the 3^? states excited are slightly higher than the predictions of a microscopic theory of octupole vibrations.     

Evidence for a spin-5 boson resonance at 2300 MeV

Evidence is given for the existence of a spin-5 boson resonance from the analysis of the reaction π^?p→K⁺K^?n at 62 GeV incident momentum. A simplified amplitude analysis with a Breit-Wigner ansatz leads to a mass 2307 ± 6 MeV and a width of 245 ± 20 MeV. The quantum numbers of the resonance are J^P = 5^?, C = ?1, and very probably I^G = 1⁺.     

Search for missing predicted high-spin states in28Si

New shell model calculations have predicted several high-spin (I ^π=5⁺ and 6⁺) levels in²⁸Si near 10 MeV excitation energy which are missing from or ambiguous in existing experimental studies. Angular distributions, linear polarizations and Doppler-shifts ofγ-rays have been measured for theγ-decay of theE _p=1,911 and 2,073 KeV resonances of the²⁷Al(p, γ) reaction in an attempt to discover these missing states or confirm the discrepancies between experiment and theory. The excitation energies and spin-parities of the resonances were determined as 13,424.4±0.2 keV,I ^π=5⁺ and 13,582.3±0.5 keV,I ^π=6⁺. States populated in theγ-decay of these resonances were assigned spins and parities as follows: 11,777 keV,I ^π=5⁺; 11,331 keV,I ^π=6⁺; 10,417 keV,I ^π=5⁺; 9,417 keV,I ^π=4⁺ and 8,945 keV,I ^π=5⁺. On the basis ofγ-ray transition rates T=1 is assigned to the 13,424 keV level and T=0 to the 10,417 and 11,777 keV levels. With the new data excellent agreement is achieved between the experimental spectrum of²⁸Si and the new shell model predictions. These data provide evidence for aK ^π=3⁺ rotational band comprised by the 6,276, 6,889, 8,945 and 11,331 keV levels. This band emerges also from the shell model wave functions as do theK ^π=0⁺ bands based on the ground state and the 6,691 keV state.     

Structure of28Si from the spectroscopy of high-spin states

A search for high-spin states in²⁸Si has been performed byn?y coincidence measurements in the²⁵Mg(α,nγy) reaction atE _α=14 and 15.5 MeV. Spin-parity assignments of the observed levels were obtained fromn?γ angular correlation and lifetime measurements atE _α=14.5 MeV. Theγ-decay of the 9,164 keV level was investigated separately with the²⁷Al(p, γ) reaction at theE _p=2,160 and 2,312 keV resonances. Rotational bands withK ^π=3^? (comprising levels atE _x=6,879, 8,413, 10,188 and 12,204 keV),K ^π =5^? (comprising levels atE _x=9,702, 11,577 and 13,741 keV) andK ^π=0⁺ (comprising levels atE _x=6,691, 7,381, 9,164 and 11,509 keV) were observed. The finding of the latter band supports the idea of coexisting oblate and prolate shapes in²⁸Si. A level at 14,643 keV excitation energy has the properties of theI ^π=8⁺ member of the ground state band. There are additional positive-parity high-spin states which do not fit into rotational bands. All types of positive-parity states are well accounted for by shell model calculations.     

Energy levels of the nucleus 250Bk from residual interaction studies

The bandhead energies of twenty two-quasiparticle states expected to occur in the low-energy excitation spectrum of the doubly odd nucleus ²⁵⁰Bk are calculated using a zero-range residual interaction and the results are compared with the available experimental information. Configuration assignments to nine intrinsic states reported in earlier studies are confirmed. Our calculations support the excitation energy of 115 keV for the K^π = 3⁺ state and also the characterisation of the 317 keV 5⁺ state as the K^π = 5⁺ bandhead. In addition, we suggest acceptable two-particle configurations for the 175 keV 1⁺ state and the 216 keV 0⁺ state. The expected location of eight as yet unobserved two-quasiparticle states is predicted.     

Coulomb excitation of the Kπ=16+ rotational band in 178Hf

A heavy-ion multiple Coulomb excitation experiment on a very exotic target containing microweight quantities of ¹⁷⁸Hf in the K^πn = 16⁺ isomeric state has been performed at 4.77 MeV/u ²⁰⁸Pb beam energy. The first excited I^π = 17⁺ state has been observed at an excitation energy of 357.4 ± 0.3 keV with respect to the isomeric state. The intrinsic electric quadrupole moment of Q ₀ = 8.2 ± 1.1 b has been derived from the experimental data within the rigid rotor model.     

The 6− analog-antianalog states of 28Si

A resonance is observed in the ²⁷Al(p, γ)²⁸Si reaction at E_p=2876±2 keV, which corresponds to an excitation energy of 14356±2 keV. The 14.36 MeV level decays to a new level at 11577±2 keV, which is turn decays to the known level at 9701.8±0.5 keV. With previous information on the 9.70 MeV level and the present γ-ray angular distributions, obtained from singles spectra as recorded by a 40 cm³ Ge(Li) detector, the spins of the three levels can be limited to J=5, 6; J=6; and J=5, respectively. Transition strength arguments based on measurements of the strength of the 2876 keV resonance and the lifetime of the 11.58 MeV level indicate that the 14.36 MeV level has J^π=6^?, T=1 and that the 11.58 MeV level has J^π=6^?, T=0.     

Rotational sidebands in 166Er

Rotational sidebands in ¹⁶⁶Er were observed using the 24 MeV ¹⁶⁴Dy(α, 2nγ) reactions. The ground-state band was observed up to spin 16⁺ and does not backbend. A strong backbend is, however, observed in a K^π = (O⁺) sideband, indicating that the 12⁺ state of the previously unknown S-band is at 2656 keV. The γ-band shows significant rotational alignment above I = 10⁺. Levels of at least two negative-parity bands, one of which is primarily the K^π = 2^? octupole vibration, are also observed.     

Investigation of vibrational levels in 226Ra by Coulomb excitation and by the 226Ra (d,pnγ) reaction

Vibrational bands in ²²⁶Ra were studied by Coulomb excitation and by the ²²⁶Ra(d,pnγ) reaction. The first-excited K ^π = 0⁺ and 1^? bands with known band heads at 825 and 1049 keV, respectively, were extended up to the 8⁺ and 7^? levels. A new 2⁺ level at 1110 keV and the known 2⁺ level at 1156 keV were observed following Coulomb excitation and interpreted as γ vibration and possible member of a second-exited K ^π = 0⁺ band, respectively. The E1 and E2 branching ratios from these vibrational bands to the ground and first-excited 0^? band are explained within the rotational model including band mixings. No evidence was found for a 0⁺ level at 650 keV proposed earlier.     

Coulomb excitation of the Kπ=16+ rotational band in178Hf

A heavy-ion multiple Coulomb excitation experiment on a very exotic target containing microweight quantities of¹⁷⁸Hf in the K^π = 16⁺ isomeric state has been performed at 4.77 MeV/u²⁰⁸Pb beam energy. The first excited I^π = 17⁺ state has been observed at an excitation energy of 357.4±0.3 keV with respect to the isomeric state. The intrinsic electric quadrupole moment ofQ ₀=8.2±1.1 b has been derived from the experimental data within the rigid rotor model.     

Investigation of vibrational levels in226Ra by coulomb excitation and by the226Ra(d,pnγ) reaction

Vibrational bands in²²⁶Ra were studied by Coulomb excitation and by the²²⁶Ra(d,pnγ) reaction. The first-excitedK ^π = 0⁺ and 1^? bands with known band heads at 825 and 1049 keV, respectively, were extended up to the 8⁺ and 7^? levels. A new 2⁺ level at 1110 keV and the known 2⁺ level at 1156 keV were observed following Coulomb excitation and interpreted asγ vibration and possible member of a second-exitedK ^π = 0⁺ band, respectively. TheE1 andE2 branching ratios from these vibrational bands to the ground and first-excited 0^? band are explained within the rotational model including band mixings. No evidence was found for a 0⁺ level at 650 keV proposed earlier.     

The decay scheme of 228Fr and K = 0 BANDS in 228Ra

The γ-rays following the β^?-decay of ²²⁸Fr have been studied by means of γ-ray singles including multi-spectrum analysis and γ-γ coincidence measurements using Ge(Li) spectrometers. Most of the observed γ-transitions could be placed in the level scheme of ²²⁸Ra. The accuracy the energy of the first-excited state in ²²⁸Ra has been improved and 35 new excited levels have been established, 11 of them grouped into the ground-state band, the low-lying K^π = 0^? band with the head at 474.14 keV and two excited K^π = 0⁺ bands with heads at 721.17 and 1041.9 keV. Candidates for two close-lying K^π = 2⁺ bands have also been found. It is concluded that the ground state octupole deformation, if any, is less pronounced in ²²⁸Ra than in lighter radium isotopes.     

Nuclear levels in 238Np

Low and high energy spectra from thermal neutron capture in ²³⁷Np have been studied over the energy ranges 25 to 650 keV and 2600 to 5500 keV. Primary transitions from neutron capture in four resonances have been observed between about 4800 and 5400 keV. Using 12 MeV deuterons, (d, p) spectra at three angles have been observed with a magnetic spectrograph. A nuclear level scheme for ²³⁸Np has been constructed by combining the results of the above measurements with previous data from a study of the ^242mAm α-decay. The Nilsson model has been used to interpret the level structure. Including results from the previous α-decay study, nine rotational bands can be assigned. The Nilsson configurations (K^π [Nn₃ΛΣ]) and band-head energies are: 2⁺π[642↑]?ν[631↓], 0.0 keV; 3⁺π[642↑]+ν[631↓], 86.6 keV; 3^?π[523↓]+ν[631↓], 136.0 keV; 2^?π[523↓]?ν[631↓], 182.8 keV; 5⁺π[642↑]+ν[622↑], 278.1 keV; 0⁺π[642↑]?ν[622↑], 332.5 keV; 5^?π[523↓]+ν[622↑], 342.6 keV; 0^?π[523↓]?ν[622↑], 286.0 keV; 6^?π[642↑]+ν[743↑], 301 keV. The measured (d, p) reaction cross sections are compared with theoretical calculations based on these assignments. The Gallagher-Moszkowski rule is found to be valid in the four cases where we have observed both parallel and antiparallel coupled bands with $\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{= Ω}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>p</mtext>}}\text{+Ω}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>n</mtext>}}$ and $\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{?}}\text{= |Ω}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>p</mtext>}}\text{?Ω}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>p</mtext>}}\text{|}$. The lowest levels of the two K = 0 bands have spin I = 1; Newby odd-even shifts can be determined in both cases.     

Experimental investigation on the possible complexity in the potential energy surface of232Th

The reaction²³²Th(γ,f) is studied using bremsstrahlungγ-beams in the (5.45–6.85) MeV end point energy range. Fragments angular distributions are measured and yield components with opposite parities are separated. The unfolded cross sections have resonant behaviour which indicates the existence of low damped vibrational states. Furthermore, a near degeneracy forK ^π =0⁺ andK ^π = 0^? resonances at ～5.5 MeV and ～6 MeV is observed. Data are analysed in terms of a double humped barrier configuration within the doorway state model for fission. For each component maxima with almost equal heights and a shallow intermediate minimum are determined. Moreover almost equal potential barriers withK=0 and opposite parities are found. This is a signature for mass-asymmetric shapes and seems a clear indication for a threehumped barrier configuration with a low inner maximum and a third mass asymmetric shallow minimum due to the fragmentation of the normal mass-asymmetric second maximum.     

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.     

Collective and two-quasiparticle states in 158Gd observed through study of radiative neutron capture in 157Gd

The level structure of ¹⁵⁸Gd has been studied using the prompt γ-rays and conversion electrons emitted following neutron capture in ¹⁵⁷Gd. The γ-ray energy and intensity measurements were made using both Ge(Li) detectors and a curved-crystal spectrometer. Conversion-electron energy and intensity measurements were made using two separate magnetic spectrometers: one to measure the primary electron spectrum and the other to measure the lower energy secondary electron spectrum. Some γ-γ coincidence measurements were also made among the secondary γ-rays. From these data, a neutron separation energy of 7937.1 ± 0.5 keV has been determined for ¹⁵⁸Gd. A level scheme containing 59 excited states with energies < 2.25 MeV, for which de-excitation modes have been identified, is proposed for ¹⁵⁸Gd. Many of these states have been grouped into rotational bands. A total of thirteen excited rotational bands with band-head energies below 2.0 MeV are contained in the level scheme. Features of the proposed level scheme include: the K^π = 0^?, 1^? and 2^? octupole-vibrational bands with band-head energies of 1263, 977 and 1793 keV, respectively; the γ-vibrational band at 1187 keV; three excited K^π = 0⁺ bands with band-head energies of 1196, 1452 and 1743 keV; several two-quasiparticle bands with band-head energies in keV (and K^π assignments) of 1380 (4⁺), 1636 (4^?), 1847 (1⁺), 1856 (1^?), 1920 (4⁺) and 1930 (1⁺). An analysis of (d, p) reaction data is presented which permits definite two-quasiparticle configuration assignments to be made to most of these latter bands. Evidence is presented which suggests strong mixing of some two-neutron and two-proton bands. A phenomenological four-band mixing analysis is made of the energy and E2 transition-probability data for the ground-state band and the three lowest-lying excited collective positive-parity bands. Good agreement with experiment is obtained. A Coriolis-mixing analysis of the octupole bands has been carried out and good agreement with the data on level energies and E1 transition probabilities to the ground-state band has been achieved. Values of Z, the ratio of the E1 transition matrix element with ΔK = 1 to that with ΔK = 0, involving the octupole bands and the first four 0⁺ bands are derived. For three of these 0⁺ bands, absolute values of these matrix elements are deduced. An interesting alternation in the sign of Z is observed for these four 0⁺ bands.     

Structure of30Si from the spectroscopy of highly excited states

Highly excited states in³⁰Si were investigated using the²⁷Al(α, p γ) reaction. Proton-γ ray angular correlations were measured atE _α=12, 14.1 and 15MeV. At 15MeV linear polarizations ofγ-rays were measured in coincidence with protons using a five-crystal Compton-polarimeter. Lifetimes were measured atE _α=14.6 MeV using the Dopper-shift attenuation method. Unambigious spin-parity assignments were obtained for the levels at 6,865 (3⁺), 7,001 (5⁺), 7,079 (3⁺), 7,810 (4), 9,371 (6⁺), 7,613 (4^?), 8,196 (5^?), 8,596 (4^?), 8,963 (5^?), 9,111 (6^?), 9,350 (4^?), 9,507 (5^?), 9,777 (6^?), 10,188 (5^?), 10,305 (3^?), 10,561 (6^?), 10,725 (7^?), 11,477 (6^?) and 11,544 (7^?)keV excitation energy, respectively. The structure of³⁰Si is understood both in terms of the shell model and the collective model. The levels at 5,487, 6,505, 8,196, 9,777 and 11,544keV, respectively, are theI ^π=3^? through 7^? members of a well developedK ^π=3^? rotational band with intrinsic quadrupole moment |Q ₀|=350 _?70 ⁺²⁵⁰ mb. There is evidence of further rotational bands, among them aK ^π=3^? band with |Q ₀|=800 _?80 ⁺⁴²² mb.