Study of low-lying states in 92Tc with the 92Mo(3He,t) reaction

States in ⁹²Tc have been studied by means of the ⁹²Mo(³He, t) reaction at 27.5 MeV. The Q-value for this reaction and the excitation energy of the isobaric ground state analogue of ⁹²Mo were determined to be ?7.882 ± 0.030 MeV and 3.813 ± 0.030 MeV respectively. Strongly populated levels in ⁹²Tc appear to belong to configurations arising from the $\text{(1g}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>9</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{)}{}_{\mathrm{\pi }}\text{(1g}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>9</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{)}{}_{\mathrm{\nu }}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}$ multiplet.     

Study of proton transfer reactions to low-lying multiplets in 90Y and 92Nb

The (d, ³He) and (α, t) proton transfer reactions on ⁹¹Zr were studied at incident energies of 24.3 and 35.4 MeV, respectively. Angular distributions were measured from 6° to 50° (⁹⁰Y) and 60° (⁹²Nb). High detection efficiency and good energy resolution were obtained by using a magnetic spectrograph in connection with a multiwire proportional chamber. For the low-lying multiplet levels in both nuclei angular momentum transfers and spectroscopic factors were determined by DWBA analysis. In ⁹²Nb the states at 0, 0.135, 0.29, 0.36 and the sum of the states at 0.48 and 0.50 MeV show typical l = 4 shapes. They belong to the ($\text{1}\text{g}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>9</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{π}$)($\text{2}\text{d}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{ν}$) sextet. The corresponding multiplet in ⁹⁰Y is weakly populated ($\text{dσ}\text{dΩ}\text{≦ 20 μb/sr}$), and l = 4 shapes are found for the levels at 0.68, 0.78, 0.95, 1.05 and 1.30 MeV proving previous assignments. The members of the low-lying ($\text{2}\text{p}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{π}$)($\text{2}\text{d}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{ν}$) doublets in ⁹⁰Y and ⁹²Nb exhibit a characteristic l = 1 angular shape. The levels at 1.42, 1.57, 1.64, 1.76 and 1.81 MeV in ⁹⁰Y are excited both by l = 1 and l = 3 resulting from a strong mixing of the ($\text{2}\text{p}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>3</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{π}$)^?1($\text{2}\text{d}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{ν}$) and $\text{(1}\text{f}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{π)}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}$ ($\text{2}\text{d}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{ν}$) multiplets. Only the level at 2.03 MeV displays a pure l = 3 shape. From the spectroscopic information on the ($\text{2}\text{p}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{π}$)($\text{2}\text{d}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{ν}$) and ($\text{1}\text{g}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>9</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{π}$)($\text{2}\text{d}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{ν}$) multiplets in ⁹⁰Y and ⁹²Nb the g.s. configuration mixing in ⁹¹Zr is deduced.     

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.     

Spectroscopy of 42Ca from 41Ca(d,p)

Energy levels in ⁴²Ca up to 7.8 MeV have been studied in the neutron capture reaction ⁴¹Ca(d, p)⁴²Ca with 12 MeV bombarding energy. Ninety-four excited states have been identified and angular distributions have been measured in the interval from 5° to 110° by means of a broad-range magnetic spectrograph. The angular distributions together with DW calculations have been used to determine I_n values and spectroscopic factors. The $\text{f}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>7</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ strength sum agrees with shell-model expectations if the f_{$\text{7}\text{2}$} spectroscopic factors are renormalized by $\text{1}\text{0.75}$, in line with other $\text{f}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>7</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$. transfer experiments on ⁴⁰Ca and ⁴¹Ca. A similar renormalization of the l_n = 1 spectroscopic factors brings this strength sum in accordance with the shell-model calculations. The effective ($\text{f}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>7</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}{}^2$) matrix elements for ⁴²Ca are compared with the corresponding matrix elements of ⁴²Sc and ⁴⁸Sc. The differences between the three sets of matrix elements are of the order of a few hundred keV or less. The monopole centroid energy of the ($\text{f}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>7</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{)}{}^2$ multiplet is shifted downwards in the mass-42 nuclei compared to ⁴⁸Sc, possibly indicating the importance of the monopole pairing force near ⁴⁰Ca.     

Study of the 91Zr(d, 3He)90Y reaction

The ⁹¹Zr(d, ³He) reaction was studied at a deuteron energy of 28 MeV. Angular distributions were measured from 13° to 47°; l_p values were extracted for the prominent lines of ⁹⁰Y. The l_p values and transition strengths were determined by DWBA analysis. The angular distributions for the $\text{(π}\text{p}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{)(ν}\text{d}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{)}$ doublet (g.s. and 0.20 MeV state) exhibit the characteristic l = 1 shape. States at 1.42, 1.57, 1.64 and 1.81 MeV were also populated strongly in the (d, ³He) reaction; the 1.42, 1.57 and 1.81 MeV levels contain l= 1 transition strength and are most likely members of the $\text{(π}\text{p}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>3</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}\text{)(ν}\text{d}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{)}$ multiplet. The 2.03 MeV state has a characteristic l = 3 angular distribution and is suggested to be the only member of the $\text{(π}\text{f}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>3</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}\text{)(ν}\text{d}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{)}$ sextet to be unambiguously observed in this study, most probably the 5^? or 4^? member. The members of the $\text{(π}\text{g}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{)(ν}\text{d}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>9</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{)}$ sextet were populated weakly (less than 100 μb/sr) in this reaction.     

Structure study of 12B from the elastic scattering of neutrons from 11B

Differential cross sections for neutrons scattered from ¹¹B have been measured for 2.2 MeV < E_n < 4.5 MeV. The differential cross section σ(θ) is fitted reasonably well by R-matrix parameters for broad states in ¹²B with assignments 1 ^? and (1) ⁺ at excitation energies E_x = 5.8 and 6.8 MeV respectively. The broad 1 ^? state has not been previously observed and is believed to be the 1 ^? member of the $\text{1}\text{p}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>3</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}\text{1}\text{d}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ particle-hole multiplet predicted to exist by earlier shell model calculations. Its existence completes the identification of all of the levels of this multiplet (3 ^?, 2 ^?, 4 ^?, 1 ^?). The broad (1)⁺ level at E_x = 6.8 MeV has not been previously observed. States at excitation energies E_x = 5.61, 5.73 and 6.6 MeV have been assigned spins and parities of 3⁺, 3^? and (1)⁺ respectively. These states had previously been assigned spins of 2, 3 and $\text{≧ 1}$ respectively. Work on T = 1 states in ¹²C¹ has been compared with the present work.     

Multipolarities of γ-rays from 92, 94Nb and 94,95,96,97,98Tc

^{92, 94}Nb and ^{94, 96, 98}Tc have been produced by the (p, n) reaction at proton energies on and near the $\text{d}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ isobaric analog resonance. ^95,97Tc have been produced by the (p, γ) reaction below the (p, n) threshold. Internal conversion electrons due to the decay of their excited states were detected on-line with a mini-orange spectrometer which is optimized for the energy range 50 to 500 keV. Gamma rays from these nuclei were detected with a thin Ge(Li) detector. Isomeric-delayed internal conversion electrons and γ-rays were observed, using a nanosecond-pulsed beam. The internal conversion coefficients for 55 transitions in these nuclei have been determined and their multipolarities deduced. The multipolarity of the transitions in these nuclei is predominantly M1. Negative parities have been assigned through use of the $\text{d}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ isobaric analog resonance enhancements of the population of negative-parity final states. The systematic behavior of the 2^?, 3^? doublet and of the $\text{g}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>9</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{?}\text{d}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ multiplet in these nuclei is discussed.     

The β− decay of 102Mo

The ¹⁰²Mo activity was obtained by photofission of natural U and thermal-neutron induced fission of ²³⁵U, with subsequent chemical separation of the molybdenum fraction. In addition, nuclei with mass 102 were separated from fission products of ²³⁵U(n_th, f) using the mass separator LOHENGRIN. A decay scheme and absolute γ-intensities are deduced from measured γ-ray, X-ray and γ-coincidence spectra. Logftvalues are calculated. Shell-model calculations for a $\text{(πlg}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>9</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{)}{}^3$$\text{(νlg}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>7</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{)}{}^3$ multiplet have been carried out using effective nucleon-nucleon interactions. The γ-decay between low-lying, low-spin members of this multiplet was studied in detail and compared with the experimental data.     

A study of 50V using the direct reactions 49Ti (3He,d) and 51V(d,t)

Energy levels in ⁵⁰V up to 4.3 MeV have been studied using the ⁴⁹Ti(³He, d)⁵⁰V and ⁵¹V(d,t)⁵⁰V reactions with ³He particles of 22 MeV and deuterons of 19.5 MeV incident energy. More than eighty levels are seen, with angular distributions taken for forty-one levels in the (³He, d) reaction and for the ten lowest levels in the (d, t) reaction. The angular distributions are compared with the distorted-wave Born approximation (DWBA) to extract the l-values of the transferred nucleons and obtain the spectroscopic strengths. In the stripping reaction, a small amount of l = 0 and l = 2 strength is seen, indicating the presence of s and d proton holes in the g.s. of ⁴⁹Ti. The results are compared with a recent shell-model calculation based on an $\text{(}\text{f}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>7</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{)}{}^{\mathrm{n}}$ configuration, and show qualitative agreement.     

Study of 11B at high excitations with the 9Be(3He,p)11B and 9Be(α, d)11B reactions

The nucleus ¹¹B has been studied over the excitation energy range from 8.5 MeV to 21.5 MeV with the ⁹Be(³He, p)¹¹B / reaction at / E_{³He = 38 MeV}. The analogs of the parent states in ¹¹Be have been located at 12.56, 12.92, 14.40, 16.44, 17.69, 18.0, 19.15 and 21.27 MeV. A complementary measurement with the ⁹Be(α, d)¹¹B reaction at E_α = 48 MeV demonstrates that the 16.44, 17.69, 18.0 and 19.15 MeV resonances have rather pure isospin $\text{T}{}_{\mathrm{f}}\text{=}\text{3}\text{2}$. The 14.40 MeV state is a strongly isospin-mixed analog of the $\text{5}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{1.78}\text{MeV}$ state in ¹¹Be. It is argued that spin S = 1 transfer is involved in the excitation of the 16.44 MeV state and its 3.887 MeV parent in ¹¹Be in a two-step stripping process. The $\text{T}{}_{\mathrm{f}}\text{=}\text{1}\text{2}$ states and the lowest three $\text{T}{}_{\mathrm{f}}\text{=}\text{3}\text{2}$ states are compared with the predictions of DWBA utilizing shell-model form factors. It is concluded that the $\text{T}{}_{\mathrm{f}}\text{=}\text{1}\text{2}$ strength is more strongly fragmented than is implied by the calculations of Teeters and Kurath.     

Low-lying levels of 92Nb from the 92Zr(3He,t) and 92Zr(3He,p2nγ) reactions

The structure of ⁹²Nb has been investigated using the 33.8 MeV ⁹²Zr(³He, t) and (³He, p2nγ) reactions. Several previously unobserved levels, including several belonging to the $\text{π(}\text{g}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>9</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{)ν(}\text{g}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>9</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{)}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}$ multiplet, are reported. The results are discussed in terms of the shell model.     

The (1f72)2 states in 34S

A distorted wave analysis of the ³²S(t,p) ³⁴S reaction reveals that the 0⁺ state at 5.86 MeV, the 2⁺ state at 7.80 MeV and the 4⁺ state at 8.42 MeV are the principal components of the $\text{(1}\text{f}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>7</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}{}^2$, T = 1 multiplet.     

Particle-hole multiplets in 40Ca observed in the 41Ca(τ, α) reaction

Energy levels in ⁴⁰Ca up to 10.2 MeV have been studied in the neutron pickup reaction ⁴¹Ca(τ, α)⁴⁰Ca with 20 MeV bombarding energy. Thirty excited states have been identified and angular distributions have been measured in the interval from 5° to 40° by means of a split-pole magnetic spectrometer. The angular distributions together with DW calculations have been used to extract l_n values and spectroscopic factors. The l_n = 2 strength distribution for the $\text{f}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>7</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{d}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>3</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}$ particle-hole levels is compared to the l_p = 3 strength distribution from pr stripping data.     

12C(7Li,t)16O and stellar helium fusion

The reaction ¹²C(⁷Li, t)¹⁶O has been studied at $\text{E(}{}^7\text{Li}\text{) = 34}\text{MeV}$ with the LASL tandem accelerator and QDDD magnetic spectrometer. Angular distributions to levels with E_x < 11 MeV have been obtained from 0° to 90°, including 0°. The results have been analyzed with finite-range distorted-wave Born approximation theory. The α-particle spectroscopic factors and reduced widths obtained are compared with those calculated with group theory (SU(3)) and other models. The analysis of data for the 7.1 and 9.6 MeV J^π = 1^? levels, which are of great importance in stellar helium buring, yields a ratio, R, of dimensionless reduced α-widths $\text{θ}{}^2{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>a</mtext>}}\text{(7.1}\text{MeV}\text{)}\text{θ}{}^2{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>a</mtext>}}\text{(9.6}\text{MeV}\text{)}\text{= 0.35b ± 0.13}$. The observed line width of the 9.6 MeV level (Γ_c.m. = 390 ± 60 keV) is less than the accepted value (Γ_c.m. = 510 ± 60 keV) and implies θ²_a(9.6 MeV) ≈ 0.6. These results as well as data for the 6.92 MeV J^π = 2⁺ and 10.35 MeV J^π = 4⁺ “α-cluster” states indicate 0.09 < θ²_a(7.1 MeV) < 0.33 with a mean value θ²_a(7.1 MeV) = 0.14 ± 0.04. The implication for stellar helium burning is discussed.     

High-resolution proton scattering on 50Ti

Differential cross sections were measured for ⁵⁰Ti(p, p) at four angles for E_p = 1.83 to 2.97 MeV, with an overall energy resolution of about 350 eV. Spins, parities and total widths were extracted for 212 levels. An energy region near E_p = 1.37 MeV was also examined in order to study the analogue of the ground state of ⁵Ti. Coulomb energies and spectroscopic factors were determined for the analogues of the ground and first excited states of ⁵¹Ti. The latter analogue was highly fragmented. The s-wave spacing and width distributions were analyzed and the number of missing levels estimated. The $\text{s}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ and $\text{p}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ proton strength functions were determined.     

Direct transfer and two-step processes in the 42Ca(α, 3He)43Ca reaction

The ⁴²Ca(α, ³He)⁴³Ca reaction has been studied at 36 MeV incident energy. Angular distributions have been measured from 4° to 42° using a split-pole spectrometer and position sensitive Si detectors, for about 40 levels located up to 6 MeV excitation energy. A local zero-range DWBA analysis has been carried out; l = 3 and 4 assignments are tentatively proposed for levels located above 4 MeV excitation energy, indicating a strong fragmentation of the $\text{1}\text{f}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ strength between 4 and 6 MeV and the location of the main component of the $\text{1}\text{g}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>9</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ strength above 6 MeV. A number of weakly excited levels cannot be reproduced by DWBA analysis. Their angular distributions have been compared with the results of coupled-reaction-channel calculations assuming two-step excitation of weak coupling states with a [⁴²Ca¹ ? $\text{f}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>7</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ structure. A reasonable agreement has been obtained, confirming that the two-step process cannot be neglected in the analysis of the (α, ³he) reaction.     

Low lying states of 96Tc

The ⁹⁶Mo(p, n) and ⁹⁶Mo(p, nγ) reactions have been studied for proton energies between 3.8 and 5.5 MeV. Energy levels in ⁹⁶Tc up to 632 keV excitation energy have been determined. Possible spin and parity assignments are given for several levels based on the neutron enhancement and angular distributions observed on and off resonance of the $\text{5}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{>+}}$ isobaric analog state in ⁹⁷Tc, as well as the observed γ-yields. The first excited state reported at 34 keV was found to be a close doublet only 0.8 keV apart. The observation of this doublet in the (p, n) reaction was used to determine the ground state Q-value Q = ? 3.760±0.010 MeV.     

Experimental and shell-model studies of the reactions 91Zr(d,p)92Zr and 90Zr(t,p)92Zr

The results of high-resolution studies of the ⁹¹Zr(d, p) reaction at E_d = 12 MeV and the ⁹⁰Zr(t, p) reaction at E_t = 11.85 MeV are presented. Absolute cross sections have been measured for both reactions and (d, p) spectroscopic factors determined. A comparison of these results with earlier data has been made, and although many of the previous assignments have been confirmed, many new features concerning the structure of ⁹²Zr have been discovered. Shell-model calculations have been performed for ⁹¹Zr and ⁹²Zr using a neutron space which includes the $\text{2}\text{d}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$, $\text{3}\text{s}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$, $\text{2}\text{d}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>3</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$, $\text{1}\text{g}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>7</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ and $\text{1}\text{h}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>11</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ orbits and a proton space comprising the $\text{1}\text{g}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>9</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ and $\text{2}\text{p}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ orbits. Realistic proton-neutron and neutron-neutron interactions based on the Sussex matrix elements were used in the calculations. Spectroscopic factors have been calculated for the ⁹⁰Zr(d, p) and ⁹¹Zr(d, p) reactions and cross sections calculated for the ⁹⁰Zr(t, p) reaction. In general, good agreement between the theoretical and the experimental results has been obtained.     

Low-lying levels of 140Pr

The doubly odd nucleus ¹⁴⁰Pr has been investigated by means of the ¹⁴¹Pr(d, t)¹⁴⁰Pr and ¹⁴⁰Ce(p, nγ)¹⁴⁰Pr reactions. Twenty-eight levels, up to 1300 keV excitation, were observed in the pickup study. DWBA analysis was used to determine l-values and spectroscopic factors for all but a few which are very weakly populated. Gamma-ray angular distributions, measured at E_p = 4.78 MeV for the five strongest γ-rays, show appreciable nuclear alignment and demonstrate the feasibility of such experiments in this mass region. Taken together, the two studies have permitted the identification of the 12 levels expected from the low-lying ($\text{π2}\text{d}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{ν2}\text{d}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>3</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}$), ($\text{π2}\text{d}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{ν3}\text{s}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}$), ($\text{π1}\text{g}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>7</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{ν2}\text{d}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>3</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}$) and (π1g_{$\text{7}\text{2}$}ν3s_{$\text{1}\text{2}$}^?1) configurations. Tenta assignments for the strong odd-parity states are suggested on the basis of their spectroscopic factors.     

Structural connections between 148Sm and 149Sm nuclei

The ^{146, 148}Nd(α, χn) and ^{148, 150}Nd(³He, χn) reactions at E_α = 20–43 MeV and E_3He = 19–27 MeV, are used to study excited states in the ¹⁴⁹Sm₈₆ and ¹⁴⁹Sm₈₇ nucleides and consequently the low-spin odd-parity excitation. The mixing ratios and multipolarities of the most prominent transitions are deduced from the combined evidence of angular distribution and electron conversion data. The spin-parity assignments for most of the levels observed are established. In ¹⁴⁸Sm the ground state band extending to I^π = 10⁺ is predominantly populated. A negative-parity odd-spin band extending from I^π = 3^?through 11^? is also observed. The bands in ¹⁴⁸Sm are interpreted within the framework of the interacting boson approximation model. In ¹⁴⁹Sm positive-parity levels with spin up to $\text{25}\text{2}$ and negative-parity levels with spins up to $\text{21}\text{2}$ are observed. The predominant γ-decay proceeds via transitions associated with $\text{i}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>13</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$, $\text{h}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>9</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$, $\text{f}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>7</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ and $\text{h}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>11</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ intrinsic configurations. The branching ratios B(E1)/B(E2) are calculated and compared in both ¹⁴⁸Sm and ¹⁴⁹Sm nucleides. The B(E1)/B(E2) dependence on the value of Z for some N = 86 (as well as 88 and 84) isotones showing a minimum of Z = 64 was noted. A 4 ns high-spin isomer mainly decaying into the positive-parity band based on the $\text{i}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>13</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ state in ¹⁴⁹Sm is found. Experimental evidence is presented to interprete the $\text{1}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$, $\text{15}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$, … and $\text{9}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$, $\text{13}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$, …, ΔI = 2, sequences in ¹⁴⁹Sm as arising from the coupling of an $\text{h}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>9</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ neutron to the octupole and quadrupole modes of the ¹⁴⁸Sm core nucleus. The absolute reaction cross sections for the ^{146, 148, 150}Nd(³He, χn) reactions have been determined for different bombarding energies. The mixing of the $\text{f}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>7</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ and $\text{h}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>9</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ shells is discussed in the framework of an axial-particle-rotor model calculation.