Study of low-lying states in151Eu via (n,n′γ) reaction

The levels of¹⁵¹Eu have been investigated in the (n,n′γ) reaction using nuclear reactor fast neutrons. The energies, intensities and angular distributions of theγ-rays have been measured with the Ge(Li) spectrometer. Four rotational bands with the following band heads and Nilsson configurations have been identified: ground state band, 5/2⁺ [402]; 21.5 keV, 7/2⁺[404]; 196.5 keV, 3/2⁺[411]; 260.5 keV, 5/2⁺[413]. The low spin states at 332.2 and 336.2 keV have been tentatively assigned to the l/2⁺[411] Nilsson orbital, but 522.8, 580.0 and 587.0 keV states to the 1/2⁺[420] Nilsson orbital. The negative parity levels at 353.7, 522.1 and probably 546.2 keV have been proposed basing on theh _11/2 proton state.     

The decay of 1.4 min173Er

A 1.4 ± 0.1 min activity which is assigned to β^?-decay of ₆₈ ¹⁷³ Er has been produced with 14–15 MeV neutrons through the reaction¹⁷⁶Yb(n, α)¹⁷³Er. Its decay has been studied with Ge(Li) detectors and several (γ)(γ) as well as (γ)(β) coincidence arrangements. Eight gamma rays with energies 94.2, 116.14, 118.6, 122.40, 192.8, 199.2, 800.8 and 895.2 keV were assigned to the decay of¹⁷³Er. The proposed level scheme of the daughter nuclide ₆₉ ¹⁷³ Tm contains levels at 0, 2.5, 118.6, 124.9, 317.7, 411.9 and 1212.8 keV. The 317.7 keV level is an isomeric state with a measured half-life of 10±3 μs. This 10 μs isomer and the 411.9 keV level are thought to be the band head and 9/2^? rotational member of 7/2^? [523] Nilsson state, respectively. The levels at 0, 2.5, 118.6 and 124.9 keV are interpreted as 1/2⁺, 3/2⁺, 5/2⁺ and 7/2⁺ members of the 1/2⁺ [411] band and the level at 1212.8 keV as the 9/2^? [514] Nilsson state. Some systematic considerations and theoretical transition probability calculations are also included.     

Odd neutron nuclei near A=100: Rotational bands in103Mo and105Mo populated in theβ − decays of103Nb and105Nb

Theβ ^? decays of¹⁰³Nb and¹⁰⁵Nb have been studied at the fission product separators JOSEF and LOHENGRIN. Half-lives of (1.5±0.2) s and (2.95±0.06) s, respectively, have been determined for these decays. Fromγ singles andγ-γ coincidence measurements extended level schemes for¹⁰³Mo and¹⁰⁵Mo have been established for the first time. The lowest energy levels of these nuclei are consistent with the interpretation as members of rotational bands built on a 3/2⁺ [411] Nilsson state. Evidence is presented for the location of the 9/2⁺ [404] configuration.     

Theβ + decay of the new isotope86Mo and the first observation of86m Nb

Theβ ⁺ decay of⁸⁶Mo has been firstly investigated by means ofβγ spectroscopy. The⁸⁶Mo nuclei were produced by fusion-evaporation reactions of⁵⁴ Fe (³⁵Cl, 1 p2n) and⁵⁸Ni (³²S,2p 2n) at beam energies of 103 and 120 MeV, respectively. Threeγ rays of 47.3, 49.8 and 187.0 keV were unambiguously identified to follow theβ ⁺ decay of⁸⁶Mo by results ofXγ andβγ coincidence and cross-bombardment. A half life and a maximumβ ⁺-ray energy of⁸⁶Mo were determined to be 19.6±1.1 s and 3.9±0.4 MeV, respectively. A decay scheme of⁸⁶Mo is proposed in this article. Furthermore, a decay of⁸⁶Nb has been studied using the same combinations of projectiles and targets, and a newβ-decaying isomer^86m Nb was observed with a half life of 56.3±8.3 s.     

Nuclear resonance fluorescence in94Mo,95Mo and96Mo

Using gaseous sources of Tc₂O₇ containing the radioactive isotopes⁹⁴Tc,⁹⁵Tc and⁹⁶Tc, levels at 871.0keV (⁹⁴Mo), 765.8, 820.6, 947.8, 1074.0keV (⁹⁵Mo) and 778.3keV (⁹⁶Mo) have been excited. From the effective cross sections for nuclear resonance scattering and from the lifetimes of the 947.8, 1074.0 and 778.3keV levels known from Coulomb excitation experiments the profiles of theγ-lines have been determined. A broadening of theγ-lines due to Coulomb explosion of the molecules has been observed. Making use of the line profiles, lifetimes ofΤ=(6.4±1.0) ps andΤ=(0.90 ± 0.20) ps have been determined for the 765.8 and 820.6keV levels, respectively. The angular distribution of the resonantly scattered radiation yields an amplitude ratioδ for the mixed M1 E2 765.8keV transition ofδ=0.14 _?0.009 ^+0.08 . TheB(E2) from a Coulomb excitation experiment and the lifetimeΤ from the present experiment yield ¦δ¦=0.07±0.01 for the 820.6keV transition.     

Study of the level structure of239U using the thermal neutron capture reaction

For the investigation of vibrational states in odd A nuclei we have studied the level structure of²³⁹U by the²³⁸U (n _thermal,γ) reaction. Various complementary measurement techniques as curved-crystal-, anti-Compton-,γ-γ coincidence- and conversion electron spectroscopy have been applied. The resulting data have been used to establish the deexcitation scheme of²³⁹U up to ～1.3 MeV and to make spin assignments. Most of the levels are interpreted in terms of the Nilsson model. The data also indicate the presence of the Nilsson states ¦501?¦ and ¦750¦. Three members of theΒ-vibrational band built on the ¦631?¦ state and one member of theΒ-vibration built on the ¦622↑¦ ground state have been identified through transitions with strongE0 admixtures. The octupole vibrational state built on the ¦631?¦ band is proposed at 815 keV.     

Band structures in73Se

Excited states of⁷³Se have been investigated up to spin, 21/2 using techniques of in-beamγ-ray spectroscopy in connection with the⁷⁰Ge(α, n) reaction. Mean lifetimes of 12 levels have been determined applying Doppler-shift andγ-RF-methods. Five different bands have been identified that reflect a variety of different excitation modes. The decoupled 9/2⁺ band is likely to correspond to an oblate deformation while the 5/2⁺ band is interpreted as a strongly coupled prolate band built on the Nilsson configuration [422] 5/2⁺. The 3/2^? band is a strongly coupled band built on the [301] 3/2^} configuration.Nuclear reactions:⁷⁰Ge(α,n),E=14, 16, 18, 19, 20MeV; measuredE _γ,I _γ,σ(E _γ,θ),γγ-coin, linear polarization, DSA,γ(t).⁷⁵Se deduced levels,I, π, τ, δ(E2/M1), B(σλ). Enriched targets, Ge detectors.     

Level structure of106Mo

The level scheme of the very neutron rich nucleus ₁₀₆ ⁴² Mo₆₄ has been studied for the first time through theβ decay of¹⁰⁶Nb. Six new excited states were observed inγ singles andγ-γ coincidence experiments in addition to the 2⁺, 4⁺ and 6⁺ members of the ground state band. The excitation energies and the deexcitation pattern suggest the interpretation of the levels at 710, 885 and 956 keV as the 2 ₂ ⁺ , 3 ₁ ⁺ and 0 ₂ ⁺ states, respectively. The data support the assumption of a non-axial deformation of¹⁰⁶Mo. A half-life of (1.02±0.05) s has been determined for theβ decay of¹⁰⁶Nb.     

Verzweigungsverhältnisse und Konversionskoeffizienten von angeregten Zuständen des208Tl

The branching ratios of theγ rays of the second and fourth excited states of²⁰⁸Tl have been investigated by coincidence measurements between the α rays of²¹²Bi and subsequent 40keVγ ray. The detectors employed were a silicon surface barrier counter for α particles, and a 1.5 in ×2 mm NaJ (Tl) crystal forγ rays. It has been found that (75.6±3.7)% of all transitions of the 328 keV state and (94±7)% of all transitions of the (492 keV+473 keV) states populate the first excited state of²⁰⁸Tl. The 40 keV state is excited to (3.4±0.3)% by transitions of higher excited states relative to the direct excitation by α particles. The number of α particles with energyE _α = 6.047 MeV and the number of subsequent 40keVγ rays resulted in a conversion coefficient α(40keV)=22.55± 0.46. Similarly coincidence measurements between Tl-x rays and α particles have been used to determine theK- conversion coefficients α_K(328 keV)=0.31±0.03 and α_K(492 keV+ 473keV)=0.100±0.015. The experimental results are in good agreement with the theoretical values ofSliv.     

Levels in182W populated in the decay of182Ta

Theγ-rays emitted in theβ-decay of¹⁸²Ta have been reinvestigated with improved statistics in attempting to clarify the reported new levels at 1460.41, 1592.98, 1620.36, 1712.29 and 1762.91 keV in¹⁸²W observed in theβ-decay of¹⁸²Ta. The present study demonstrated that the fifteen newγ-rays, which were used to support the existence of the five new levels, are not relevant to theγ-decay of¹⁸²Ta. Therefore the five new levels are not populated in this decay. Additionally, theγ-ray with an energy of 1035.6 keV (0 ₂ ⁺ →2 ₁ ⁺ ) deexciting theβ-band head in¹⁸²W is observed for the first time in the present decay study and the previous tentative placement of the 351.0 keVγ-ray in the level scheme is confirmed by the present coincidence measurements.     

Structure of the highly deformed nucleus101Sr63 and evidence for identical K=3/2 bands

The low-energy level scheme of theN=63 nucleus¹⁰¹Sr has been obtained from a β-decay study of¹⁰¹Rb. The ν[532]5/2 and ν[411]3/2 orbitals are well established as the ground state and a band head at 271.2keV, respectively. The general properties of the level scheme indicate a quadrupole deformation ofβ ? 0.4, confirming the unique feature of saturation of deformation inN ≥ 60 Sr isotopes. The energies of theK=3/2 intraband transitions in the odd-neutron neighbours⁹⁹Sr₆₁ and¹⁰¹Sr₆₃ are very similar. More generally, the identical bands at low spin in^98–101Sr nuclei are correlated with the mass-independent moments of inertia in this region.     

Spin values of the low lying nuclear levels of201Hg

Gamma-gamma directional correlations have been investigated for the cascades of 135-30 keV and 135-32 keV in²⁰¹Hg from the decay of²⁰¹Tl. A combination of NaI (Tl) and Si (Li) detectors was used for the experiments. Spin values ofI=1/2, 3/2 and 1/2 have been assigned to 1.58, 32.19 and 167.49 keV energy levels. In addition, the relative intensities of theγ rays have been measured with a Ge (Li) detector system. The results are 2.2±0.2, 2.2±0.2, 26.5±1.3, 1.6±0.1 and 100 for theγ rays of 30.60, 32.19, 135.34, 165.88 and 167.43 keV energies, respectively.     

On the coexistence of oblate and prolate deformed bands in83Zr

Deformation parameters of the positive parity yrast band and negative parity bands in⁸³Zr are deduced from lifetimes andE2/M1 mixing ratios. Lifetimes of high spin states have been determined from recoil distance Doppler shift and Doppler shift attenuation measurements using the⁵⁴Fe(³²S,2pnγ) ⁸³Zr reaction. Ten lifetimes and five lifetimes limits were determined. The positive parity band, built on theg _9/2 K=5/2 orbital has an average deformation ¦β ₂¦=0.28(2), and shows a reduction ofE2 transition strengths in the observed backbend region at I^π≈21/2⁺. In contrast, theE2 strengths in the negative parity states show a steady increase up to I^π≈=15/2^?. These states are more strongly deformed than the positive parity states (¦β ₂¦=0.33(3)). TheE2/M1 mixing ratios show that the negative parity band hasK=3/2 and is prolate, and favour oblate deformation for the positive parity yrast band. In theK=1/2^? band theE2 strength of the 7/2^?→3/2^? transition yields a deformation ¦β ₂¦=0.26(5). The band structure is compared with calculations within the Hartree-Fock Bogoliubov cranking model.     

The nilsson-potential parameters for neutrons at A≃-100 and new deformation values for103Mo and105Mo

The half-lives of the first excited levels in odd-neutron nuclei¹⁰³Mo and¹⁰⁵Mo have been measured. From these data, values of the deformation parameter of?=0.31±0.05 and 0.29±0.06 for¹⁰³Mo and¹⁰⁵Mo, respectively, have been deduced assuming prolate spheroidal shapes. The present results in combination with previously determined properties of the ground-state bands of these nuclei are used to determineμ, the magnitude of the coefficient of the 1² term, in the Nilsson Hamiltonian, for the new region of deformation atA～-100.     

Gamma radiation from the ground state decay of95Tc

The 20 h^95gTc decay to levels of⁹⁵Mo has been investigated studyingγ-singles andγγ-coincidences. The first excited state of⁹⁵Mo at 204 keV, previously assumed to be populated in the^95m Tc decay only, is found to be fed by aγ-transition of 870 keV deexciting the level at 1074 keV which is populated in the^95g Tc decay. More over three newγ-transitions of 477, 786 and 1552 keV deexciting the level at 1552 keV have been found. For the levels at 1074 and 1552 keV the range of possibleJ ^π assignments could be reduced.     

Coulomb excitation of230Th with32S,84Kr and142Nd projectiles

The Coulomb excitation measurements for the²³⁰Th nucleus with³²S,⁸⁴Kr and¹⁴²Nd projectiles are presented. The use of different projectiles allowed us to get information in the ground-state band and side bands. The energy spectrum of the ground-state band and of the lowest negative-parity band have been investigated up to the spin valueI=24⁺ andI=19^?(21), respectively. Five side bands (K ^π=0⁺, 2 ₁ ⁺ , 2 ₂ ⁺ , 1^?, 2^?) were observed also. The branching ratios for a large number of transitions in the spin regionI≦10 for π=+1 andI≦9 for π=? 1 are analysed. The full set of experimental data contains information on the mixing of the adiabatic states and on the nuclear response to the electromagnetic field ofγ-radiation. It is shown that the experimental data may be explained taking into account the coupling of the ground-β- and twoγ-bands and also of theK ^π=0^?, 1^? and 2^? negative-parity bands. An enhancement of the transitions from theγ-to theβ-band in respect to the transitions from theγ to the ground band and from theβ- to the ground band is reported. The mixing of the negative-parity bands is found to be typical for the alignment of the octupole-vibrational angular momentum. The strong spin dependence of the intrinsic matrix elements of the electric-dipole operator follows from the branching ratios of inter- and intra-band transitions from theK ^π=0^? states.     

The gyromagnetic ratio of the 589 keV 3/2− state of117In

Theg-factor of the 589 keV state of¹¹⁷In has been determined by a measurement of the rotation of the 1,303–273 keVγ —γ directional correlation in an external magnetic field of 9.55(1) T. The result,g _3/2(589 keV)=+0.068(39), contradicts the usual interpretation of the state as the 2p _3/2 single proton hole configuration for which the Schmidt value isg _3/2-(Schmidt)=+2.53. It favours the interpretation as the first rotational state built up on the single proton [301] 1/2^? Nilsson orbit in a strongly deformed core of prolate shape.     

Gammaübergänge und Energieniveaus in Dy 165

220 neutron capture Gamma rays of Dy 165 were measured with the Risø curved crystal spectrometer. The intense transitions permitted the construction of a level scheme for this oddN nucleus. The rotational bandsK=7/2⁺[633],K=1/2^?[521] andK=5/2^?[512] were precisely localized, including the spin 11/2 states. Gammavibrational bands built on these Nilsson orbits were observed with their band heads at 538.6, 573.5 and 570.2 keV. TheI=5/2 term at 533 keV can be considered as the 5/2^?[523] Nilsson state. The branching ratios allowed the determination of (g _K?g^R)²-factors for the [633], [521] and [512] bands and yieldedE 1-hindrance factors.     

The decays of 21.55 min 162gTm and 24.3 s 162Tm (a new isomer)

The decay of the 21.55 min ground state and of the 24.3 s isomeric state of ¹⁶²Tm was investigated with semiconductor detectors. The γ-ray spectrum was investigated with a Compton-suppression Ge(Li)-NaI(Tl) arrangement. A Si (Li) detector, mounted in an electron transport solenoid, was used to investigate the conversion electron spectrum. Three-dimensional coincidence measurements were performed with large-volume Ge(Li) detectors. The ¹⁶²Tm ground state has spin-parity 1^? and Nilsson assignment p[411]↓?n[521]↑. An allowed β-transition (log ft ≈ 6.4) was observed to a 2^?, 2 octupole vibrational level at 1572.84 keV. The Q-value determined from positon-gamma coincidence measurements is 4705 ± 70keV. The discrepancy of the experimental K /β⁺ ratio with theoretical predictions might possibly be explained by a large number of unobserved weak γ-rays besides the total of 315 stronger ones observed in this study. The average β-strength function was calculated to be 1.2 × 10^?5. Among the 50 levels observed in the decay, the 2⁺, 4⁺ and 6⁺ members of the ground-state band, the 2⁺, 3⁺ and 4⁺ members of the γ-band, several 0⁺ and 2⁺ members of the K = 0 β-bands and 1^?, 2^? and 3^? octupole vibrational levels were identified. Parameter values Z_γ(0) and Z_γ(2) determining the mixing between the γ-band and the ground-state band, allow no conclusive evidence about unequalness of the intrinsic quadrupole moments of the ground states and the γ-band. The Z(0) parameters, determining the mixing between the β-bands and the ground-state band, and X parameters determining the ratio of E0 to E2 transition probabilities, were deduced. A previously unreported 24.3 sec isomer in ¹⁶²Tm was observed to decay in 10% of the cases by an allowed unhindered (log ft = 4.7) β-ray transition to a level at 1712.20 keV in ¹⁶²Er. The Nilsson configurations assigned to the isomeric and 1712.20 keV levels are p[523]↑ + n[521]↑₅₊ and n[523]↓ + n[521]↑₄₊ respectively. The isomeric level decays in 90% of the cases by an E3 transition (E_IT < 125 keV) to a p[404]↓ ?n[521]↑_2? level at 66.90 keV in ¹⁶²Tm, which decays by an (M1+ < 40 % E2) to the 21.55 min ¹⁶²Tm 1^? ground state.