The strength of octupole correlations in neutron-rich Xe isotopes

Excited levels in ¹⁴⁰Xe and ¹⁴²Xe nuclei, populated in the spontaneous fission of ²⁴⁸Cm, were studied by means of prompt γ-ray spectroscopy, using EUROGAM2 array. We report the first observation of an octupole band in ¹⁴²Xe and extend the octupole band in ¹⁴⁰Xe. Level schemes of ¹⁴⁰Xe and ¹⁴²Xe obtained in this work show patterns characteristic of ocupole-vibrational bands. Properties of octupole bands in Xe isotopes indicate that octupole correlations in these nuclei are lower than in the corresponding Ba nuclei. The electric dipole moment of ¹⁴²Xe was found to be larger than in other Xe isotopes, contrary to theoretical predictions. This may be due to the special role of the N = 88 neutron number. Received: 18 November 2002 / Accepted: 15 December 2002 / Published online: 25 February 2003 RID="a" ID="a"e-mail: urban@fuw.edu.pl Communicated by D. Schwalm     

Nuclear deformation and the two-neutrino double- β decay in <Superscript>124, 126</Superscript>Xe , <Superscript>128, 130</Superscript>Te , <Superscript>130, 132</Superscript>Ba and <Superscript>150</Superscript>Nd isotopes

The two-neutrino double-beta decay of ^{124, 126}Xe , ^{128, 130}Te , ^{130, 132}Ba and ¹⁵⁰Nd isotopes is studied in the Projected Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (PHFB) model. Theoretical 2ν β^-β^- half-lives of ^{128, 130}Te , and ¹⁵⁰Nd isotopes, and 2ν β⁺β⁺ , 2ν β⁺ EC and 2ν ECEC for ^{124, 126}Xe and ^{130, 132}Ba nuclei are presented. Calculated quadrupolar transition probabilities B(E2 : 0⁺ → 2⁺) , static quadrupole moments and g -factors in the parent and daughter nuclei reproduce the experimental information, validating the reliability of the model wave functions. The anticorrelation between nuclear deformation and the nuclear transition matrix element M _2ν is confirmed.     

New insights into neutron-rich nuclei at high spin

With new high statistic data, new isotopes and new high-spin structures are observed in neutron-rich nuclei populated in the spontaneous fission of ²⁵²Cf. The ¹³⁵Te levels are extended, and many new levels in ^139,141Ba observed. The coexistence of collective and single particle-hole states is found in ¹³⁵Te. The N = 83 ¹³⁵Te and ¹³⁹Ba show marked differences associated with differences in their particle and hole states. New levels in ¹⁴¹Ba complete evidence for two opposite-parity doublets characteristic of stable octupole deformation. In ^114,116Pd a second backbend is observed for the first time in this mass region and the backbend in ¹¹⁸Pd occurs earlier than in ^112-116Pd because of a reduction in pairing. Gamma-type vibrational bands are seen up to 13⁺ to 15⁺ in ^104,106Mo, ^108-112Ru, and ^112-116Pd. Their behavior reflects prolate to triaxial shapes in these nuclei. The levels of ^162,164Gd are observed for the first time. As N increases toward mid-shell at 104, the moments of inertia in N = 100 ¹⁶⁴Gd show an unexpected decrease compared to N = 98 ¹⁶²Gd. The levels in ^162,164Gd form remarkable shifted identical bands with nuclei separated by 2n, 2p, α, and 2α. Received: 21 March 2002 / Accepted: 16 May 2002 / Published online: 31 October 2002 RID="a" ID="a"e-mail: j.h.hamilton@vanderbilt.edu     

Rotational structures in the 125Cs nucleus

The collective band structures of the ¹²⁵Cs nucleus have been investigated by in-beam γ-ray spectroscopic techniques following the ¹¹⁰Pd ( ¹⁹F, 4n) reaction at 75MeV. The previously known level scheme, with rotational bands built on πg_7/2, πg_9/2 and πh_11/2 orbitals, has been extended and evolves into bands involving rotationally aligned ν(h_11/2)² and π(h_11/2)² quasiparticles. A strongly coupled band has been reassigned a high-K πh_11/2 ⊗ νg_7/2 ⊗ νh_11/2 three-quasiparticle configuration and a new side band likely to be its chiral partner has been identified. Configurations assigned to various bands are discussed in the framework of Principal/Tilted Axis Cranking (PAC/TAC) model calculations.     

Band termination in the Z = N odd-odd nuclei <Superscript>46</Superscript>V and <Superscript>50</Superscript>Mn

The configuration-dependent cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky approach has been employed to study the properties and band structures at high spin in the Z = N odd-odd nuclei ⁴⁶V and ⁵⁰Mn. The observed bands are explained and terminating states are confirmed by the calculations. The calculated and observed bands are in good agreement without normalization, especially for terminating states. Possible bands with rotation around the intermediate axis and the effect of γ-deformation on the total energy of several interesting configurations are discussed. Received: 2 April 2002 / Accepted: 27 January 2003 / Published online: 15 April 2003     

Simplex s = ±i excitations in 141Xe

Excited levels in ¹⁴¹Xe, populated in spontaneous fission of ²⁴⁸Cm, were studied by means of prompt -ray spectroscopy, using the EUROGAMM2 array. Level scheme of ¹⁴¹Xe obtained in this work shows patterns characteristic of simplex symmetry with s=+i and s=-i bands present but low value of D₀ moment indicates that octupole correlations in Xe isotopes are systematically lower than in Ba nuclei. Received: 9 March 2000 / Accepted: 4 May 2000     

Signature inversion in the yrare band of <Superscript>119</Superscript>Xe

Excited states of the ¹¹⁹Xe nucleus have been studied by using in-beam γ-ray spectroscopy with the ¹⁰⁷Ag ( ¹⁶O, p3n) ¹¹⁹Xe fusion-evaporation reaction at a beam energy of 85 MeV. The level scheme of ¹¹⁹Xe has been derived from γ-γ coincidence and γ-γ angular correlation analyses. We have, for the first time, established the second negative-parity favored and unfavored states built on the 11/2^- state, namely the yrare rotational bands in ¹¹⁹Xe. In contrast to the behavior of the yrast bands where the favored states are lying lower in energy, the yrare favored states were observed to lie above the unfavored band. Such a signature inversion in ¹¹⁹Xe is changed to be normal at I = 12?. Received: 8 January 2002 / Accepted: 18 April 2002     

Co-existing coupling schemes at high spin in 166Hf

The nucleus ¹⁶⁶Hf has been populated by the reaction ⁹⁶Zr(⁷⁴Ge,4n) using a beam energy of 310MeV. γ-rays were detected with the EUROBALL III detector array. Fourteen new normal-deformed rotational bands, of which six form coupled pairs, have been observed in ¹⁶⁶Hf. Four previously known bands have been extended to considerably higher spin, and configurations of the new bands are proposed. Two different bands have been assigned configurations involving the same orbitals at high spin. The two coupling schemes, deformation and rotation alignment, are discussed in connection with this new observation, which calls for a formulation of co-existing coupling schemes in six-quasiparticle structures involving the same orbitals at high spin.     

Shape changes at high spin in 78Kr

High-spin states in ⁷⁸Kr have been studied via the ⁶³Cu (¹⁹F, 2p2n)⁷⁸Kr reaction at a beam energy of 60 MeV using the Indian National Gamma Array (INGA). In this nucleus, lifetimes have been measured upto the I^π=22⁺ level in the yrast positive-parity band and upto the I^π=15^- level in the negative-parity band using the Doppler Shift Attenuation Method (DSAM). The deduced transition quadrupole moments Q_t's are found to decrease with rotational frequency for both the bands.     

Gamma-ray spectroscopy of the nucleus 139Ce

Gamma-ray coincidence techniques are used to determine new level structures in the N = 81 nucleus ¹³⁹Ce, at low spins and excitation energies with the ¹³⁹La(p, nγ) reaction at 5.0 and 6.0MeV incident energy, and at high spins with the ¹³⁰Te(¹²C, 3nγ) reaction at 50.5MeV, respectively. Lifetime determinations are also made in the (p, nγ) reaction with the centroid DSA method. The observed level structures are discussed by comparison with existing calculations and with those in the neighbouring nucleus ¹⁴⁰Ce.     

Lifetime measurement in 74Kr and 76Kr

Lifetimes of excited states in the ground-state bands of ⁷⁴Kr and ⁷⁶Kr were measured using the recoil-distance Doppler-shift and the differential decay curve methods. The states were populated in the ⁴⁰Ca(⁴⁰Ca, α2p) and ⁴⁰Ca(⁴⁰Ca, 4p) reactions. Gamma rays were detected with the GASP array which was coupled to the Cologne Plunger device. The results resolve discrepancies between earlier lifetime measurements and a recent Coulomb excitation experiment. Experimental transition rates are compared to theoretical calculations. The results support a strong mixing between prolate and oblate configurations for the low-spin states, and represent an important basis for the interpretation and understanding of the shape coexistence phenomenon in this mass region.     

Rotational alignment of the h11/2 band in 157Dy

High-spin states of ¹⁵⁷Dy were investigated using in-beam γ-ray spectroscopy techniques with a ¹⁵⁰Nd(¹²C, 5n) reaction. Three rotational bands with the h _9/2, i _13/2 and h _11/2 configurations were observed up to (43/2^-), 53/2⁺ and 45/2^-, respectively. Interband M1 transitions in the h _11/2 (high-Ω) band were also measured up to the highest-spin state. The high-spin states were well reproduced by calculations using the tilted-axis-cranking model (TAC). The B(M1)/B(E2) ratio, Routhian and the tilted angle of the angular-momentum vector are found to be in good agreement with the result of the TAC calculation. Received: 22 August 2002 / Accepted: 26 September 2002 / Published online: 19 November 2002 RID="a" ID="a"e-mail: hayakawa@jball4.tokai.jaeri.go.jp Communicated by W. Henning     

High-spin structure of the neutron-rich odd-odd 106, 108 45Rh and 110, 112 47Ag isotopes

The ^{106, 108}Rh and ^{110, 112}Ag nuclei have been produced as fission fragments following the fusion reaction ²⁸Si + ¹⁷⁶Yb at 145 MeV bombarding energy and studied with the Eurogam2 array. The yrast high-spin states of these four odd-odd nuclei, which are observed for the first time, consist of rotational bands in which the odd proton occupies the πg _9/2 subshell and the odd neutron the νh _11/2 subshell. Their behaviour as a function of spin values does not vary with the number of neutrons: as observed in the odd-N neighbouring nuclei, the motion of the odd neutron remains decoupled from the motion of the core, from N = 61 to N = 65. Moreover, the staggering observed in the yrast bands of odd-odd isotopes is strongly reduced as compared to the large values displayed by the rotational bands built on the πg _9/2 subshell in the odd-A Rh and Ag isotopes. The results of particle-rotor calculations indicate that this reduction is related to a change of the core deformation. Received: 1 June 2001 / Accepted: 23 July 2002 / Published online: 10 December 2002 RID="a" ID="a"e-mail: porquet@csnsm.in2p3.fr RID="b" ID="b"Present address: CSNSM IN2P3-CNRS and Université Paris-Sud 91405 Orsay, France. RID="c" ID="c"Present address: NAC, Faure, ZA 7131, South Africa. RID="d" ID="d"Present address: Department of Nuclear Physics, ANU, Canberra ACT 0200, Australia. Communicated by D. Schwalm     

Octupole-deformed molecular bands in 21Ne

Cluster states up to 12 MeV in the stable light nucleus ²¹Ne, based on the ¹⁶O + n + α molecular configurations, have been populated in the incomplete-fusion reaction ¹⁶ ₈O(⁷₃Li, np)²¹₁₀Ne at 29.4 MeV. The observation of both intra- and inter-band transitions leads to a re-interpretation of some levels in the K^π = ^- and K^π = ^- bands. The implications of this re-ordering on the octupole doublet bands are examined. The data allow a more accurate determination of some previously uncertain level energies. The “missing” I^π = ^- level is also discussed.     

Spectroscopy of the deformed 126Ce nucleus

The even-even nucleus ¹²⁶Ce was studied via in-beam γ-ray spectroscopy using the ⁴⁰Ca + ⁹²Mo reaction at 190 MeV. Five bands were observed, one of them being identified for the first time. New connecting transitions were identified between the bands, which lead to new spin assignments. The bands are discussed in the framework of the IBM + broken pairs model. Received: 17 July 2002 / Accepted: 23 October 2002 / Published online: 18 February 2003 RID="a" ID="a"e-mail: costel.petrache@unicam.it Communicated by C. Signorini     

Candidates for chiral doublet bands in 136Nd

The even-even nucleus ¹³⁶Nd was studied via in-beam γ-ray spectroscopy using the ¹⁶O + ¹²⁵Te reaction at 100 MeV and the EUROBALL array. One new dipole band was observed. Together with a previously identified dipole band, whose position in the level scheme is revised, the new band forms a doublet structure similar to the recently observed chiral bands in the odd-odd neighboring nuclei. This would be the first case of a chiral doublet in an even-even nucleus. Received: 23 May 2002 / Accepted: 30 September 2002 / Published online: 27 November 2002 RID="a" ID="a"e-mail: costel.petrache@unicam.it RID="b" ID="b"Present address: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA. RID="c" ID="c"Present address: Gesellschaft für Schwerionenforschung D-64291 Darmstadt, Germany. Communicated by C. Signorini     

Loss of collectivity in 79Rb

High-spin states in ⁷⁹Rb were populated in the reaction at E(beam) = 60 MeV. The lifetimes of the excited states of the positive-parity yrast band and of the negative-parity band in ⁷⁹Rb were measured by the Doppler Shift Attenuation Method. The deduced transition quadrupole moments Q_t are found to have a decreasing trend with rotational frequency for both the bands, consistent with those found experimentally in neighbouring nuclei. An erratum to this article is available at .     

Spectroscopy of the neutron-deficient nuclide 171Pt

The decay out of the πh _11/2νh _11/2 band to the known low-energy levels in ¹³²La was studied using the reaction ¹⁰⁰Mo + ³⁶S at 160 MeV beam energy. The low-energy level scheme has been further developed and unambiguous spin and parity values have been assigned to the levels connecting the band to the 6^- isomeric state. According to the new level scheme the spins in the πh _11/2νh _11/2 band are shifted up by one unit compared to the earlier tentative experimental values. The obtained new spins prove the existence of signature inversion in ¹³²La and give further support to the spin assignments made for the πh _11/2νh _11/2 bands in the neighbouring odd-odd La isotopes from level energy systematics. Received: 7 May 2002 / Accepted: 31 October 2002 / Published online: 17 January 2003 RID="a" ID="a"e-mail: timar@atomki.hu RID="b" ID="b"Present address: Dipartimento di Matematica e Fisica, Università di Camerino, via Madonna delle Carceri, I-62032 Camerino, Italy. Communicated by J. ?yst?     

In-beam γ-ray spectroscopy of <Superscript>190</Superscript>Po: First observation of a low-lying prolate band in Po isotopes

Gamma rays from excited states of ¹⁹⁰Po have been observed using the Jurosphere Ge-detector array coupled to the RITU gas-filled separator. They were associated with a collective band which from spin 4 onwards resembles the prolate rotational bands known in the isotones ¹⁸⁸Pb and ¹⁸⁶Hg. This indicates that in ¹⁹⁰Po the prolate configuration becomes yrast above I = 2. The experimental results are interpreted in a two-band mixing calculation and are in agreement with α-decay data and potential energy surface calculations. Received: 10 January 2003 / Accepted: 19 February 2003 / Published online: 7 May 2003     

Investigation of lifetimes in quadrupole bands of 142Gd

For a level scheme investigation of ¹⁴²Gd an experiment with the γ -spectrometer EUROBALLIII has been carried out and lifetimes have been measured with EUROBALL IV using the Doppler-shift attenuation method. The high-spin states have been populated in these experiments by means of the ⁹⁹Ru(⁴⁸Ti, 2p3n) reaction at a beam energy of 240MeV and the ¹¹⁴Sn(³²S, 2p2n) reaction at 160MeV, respectively. Reduced E2 transition probabilities B(E2) were determined for 15 members of four quadrupole bands. For the interpretation of the positive-parity even-spin quadrupole bands, calculations in the cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky as well as interacting boson models have been performed. From the former calculations it was concluded that the high-spin states of the (+ , 0)₁ band in ¹⁴²Gd represent a triaxial nucleus rotating around the longest principal axis.