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.     

Directional correlations in the decay of 1200y 166Ho

γγ-directional correlations have been measured between the ground state band transitions 6→4, 4→2 and 2→0 and the γ-rays depopulating the levels of the gamma vibrational band and the negative parity states of¹⁶⁶Er. Thereby angular momenta could be assigned to the latter states andM2/E1 multipole mixtures determined for the depopulating γ-transitions. TheE2/M1 mixing ratios were obtained for a series ofI _γ→I _g transitions up toI _γ=8⁺. These are used to investigate the angular momentum dependence of theE2/M1 admixtures.     

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.     

Non-yrast level structure of135Pr

Levels of¹³⁵Pr populated in the (p,2n) reaction were studied using methods of in-beamγ-ray and conversion electron spectroscopy. Many low-lying positive-parity states give evidence of a deformation ofβ=0.15–0.20. The same conclusion is evident from band structures built on these positive-parity states and on theh _11/2 negative-parity state. The triaxial rotor-plus-particle model reproduces quite well band structures withβ=0.20 andγ= 21°.     

Collective structures in185Hg

Excited states of¹⁸⁵Hg have been investigated via the¹⁶¹Dy(²⁸Si, 4n) reaction at 145 MeV. In-beamγ-ray spectroscopic studies have been performed with the “Château de Cristal” 4π-multidetector array. A level scheme of¹⁸⁵Hg has been established. Shape coexistence, still present in¹⁸⁵Hg like in the neighbouring Hg isotopes, manifests itself through a weakly populated decoupled band built on the 13/2⁺ isomer and three strongly-coupled bands built on the prolate 1/2^? [521], 7/2^? [514], and 9/2⁺ [624] Nilsson states.     

The decay of 31 sec98Zr, 2.9 sec98Nb and 51 min98Nb

TheΒ- andγ-radiations of⁹⁸Zr and^{98m, g} Nb have been investigated employing scintillation and semiconductor spectrometers and coincidence techniques. Sources of⁹⁸Nb were produced by the⁹⁸Mo(n, p)⁹⁸Nb reaction, sources of⁹⁸Zr by fission of²³⁵U with thermal neutrons applying chemical separations. For⁹⁸Zr, a half-life of 30.7±0.4 sec and aQ _β-value of 2.3±0.2 MeV were obtained, for the⁹⁸Nb isomers, half-lives of 2.86±0.06 sec and 51.3±0.4 min, andQ _β-values of 4.8±0.2 MeV and 4.5±0.2 MeV, respectively. Noγ-rays were observed in the decay of⁹⁸Zr. The decay of 2.9 sec⁹⁸Nb was found to involve 11γ-ray transitions. In the decay of 51 min⁹⁸Nb, 54γ-transitions were detected. Spin and parity of 1⁺ and 4^? were deduced for the isomeric states of⁹⁸Nb.     

Level structure of170Er observed in the decay of the 2.76 min170Ho

TheΒ ^?-decay of the longer-lived¹⁷⁰Ho isomer produced through the¹⁷⁰Er(n, p)¹⁷⁰Ho reaction has been investigated by using a versastile detector and coincidence equipment. The half-life andΒ ^?-decay energy were determined to beT _1/2=2.76±0.05 min andQ _β =3.85±0.15 MeV, respectively. In addition to the ground state band and some higher energy levels, the proposed level scheme of¹⁷⁰Er contains 11 states between 1.0 and 1.6 MeV (6 new ones), which are connected mutually by previously unknown low-energy transitions. Spin and/or parity assignments based mainly on coincidence data and multipolarity determinations are suggested for most of these states. By using systematic considerations and the nuclear projection model calculations several bands withK≧2 can be assigned tentatively. As a side result the half-life of¹⁶⁹Ho was determined to be 4.7 ±0.2 min.     

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.     

Lifetime measurements in166Er

The lifetimes of five states in the ground band, from spin 6⁺ up to spin 14⁺, and of all even states in the gamma band up to spin 12⁺, have been measured in¹⁶⁶Er using the recoil distance method. The reduced electric quadrupole transition probabilities have been determined from the measured lifetimes using previously measured branching ratios, and the mixing between the ground band and theγ-band has been studied. The transitional electric quadrupole moments for the ground band and theγ-band have been deduced and are discussed.     

Elektrische Quadrupolwechselwirkungen von20F im MgF2-Einkristall

Polarized²⁰F nuclei (T _1/2=11s,I=2) have been produced in a tetragonal MgF₂ single crystal by capture of polarized neutrons. Nuclear magnetic resonance transitions have been induced and observed via the asymmetricΒ decay to²⁰Ne, yielding the quadrupole coupling constant ¦e ² q Q/h¦=5.77(2)MHz, the quadrupole moment ¦Q(²⁰F)¦=0.064(12) b and the asymmetry parameter of the electric field gradientη=0.317(2). In order to study possible lattice defects produced by the recoil displacement due to the captureγ-rays NMR signals were registered both at room temperature and at 12 K. Width and depth of the resonance curves indicated that at room temperature nearly all²⁰F ions occupy normal lattice sites with an undisturbed environment. At 12 K, however, where no annealing occurs, this is only true for about half of the²⁰F ions which are stopped directly at defect free sites. The other half of the²⁰F ions at 12 K shows resonance frequencies shifted by defect interactions up to the order of some 100 kHz. Furthermore two simple methods are reported which allow a quick estimate of the strength of the quadrupolar interaction: (1) observation of theΒ decay asymmetry versus the magnetic field strength (decoupling curve), (2) broad-band modulation of the inducedrf field and observation of theΒ asymmetry versus the depth of the modulation.     

Anomalous behaviour of transition probabilities in75Kr

Two collective bands of⁷⁵Kr have been extended up to spin 21/2 using the compound reactions⁶⁴Zn(¹⁴N,p2n)⁷⁵Kr and⁵⁰Cr(²⁸Si, 2pn)⁷⁵Kr. Spins and parities were assigned from neutron-gatedγ-ray angular distributions and excitation functions using the OSIRIS anti-Compton spectrometer. The bands are interpreted to be built on the well-deformed Nilsson states: [442] 5/2 and [301] 3/2. Energies for both bands and the order of magnitude of the mixing ratios in thef _5/2 band can be reproduced within the single-particle-plus-rotor model, while the experimentalQ(I→I?1)/Q(I→I?2) ratios, deduced from mixing ratios and branching ratios, exhibit large deviations by a factor 4 to 6 from theoretical values (which are around one). An explanation of this effect may be found by treating the two rotational bands each as a result of mixing between rotational bands of oblate and prolate states; thus explaining the large difference between B(E2,I→I?1) andB(E2, I →I?2) in the bands of⁷⁵Kr.     

Gamma deexcitation of the 180m Ta isomer

Vibrational states built on the K ^π = 9^? isomer and on the ground state (K ^π = 1⁺) in ¹⁸⁰Ta are calculated within the quasiparticle-phonon nuclear model using the ¹⁷⁸Hf nucleus as a core. A procedure for calculating the rates of K-allowed γ-ray transitions from vibrational states built on the isomer to those built on the ground state is presented. The probabilities of two-step processes consisting of a dipole excitation of the isomer and successive E1 and E2 transitions from them to vibrational states built on the ground state of the ¹⁸⁰Ta nucleus are calculated. Two-step transitions from the isomer to vibrational states below 2.7 MeV and to the vibrational states built on the ground state appear to be very weak. There are many E1 transitions from the vibrational states built on the isomer to the vibrational states built on the ground state. They are weak and cannot be responsible for the strong deexcitation of ^180m Ta in the relevant (γ, γ′) reaction. A decisive role is played by collective E2 transitions from dipole excitations in several excitation energy intervals ranging between 2.7 and 4.0 MeV. These highly intense K-allowed two-step γ-ray transitions can be responsible for the strong deexcitation of the ^180m Ta state in the (γ, γ′) reactions.     

Nuclear levels and spectroscopy of191Os

Thirty-nine states, all except two of which are new, have been observed up to 1535 keV in¹⁹¹Os using the reactions¹⁹⁰Os(d,p)¹⁹¹Os,¹⁹²Os(d, t)¹⁹¹Os with 12 MeV deuterons and magnetic analysis with photographic emulsions of the outgoing particles, and¹⁹⁰Os(n, γ)¹⁹¹Os with thermal neutrons and three modes of gamma detection in the energy range from 40 keV to ～6 MeV. The neutron separation energy was determined as 5758.5±2.0 keV in agreement with the value of the (d, p) reaction. TheQ value for the (d, t) reaction was determined as ?1265±15 keV. Spins and parities are assigned for most of the states below 800 keV. The states below 463 keV are shown to be qualitatively but not quantitatively consistent with the expectations of the Nilsson model. Nilsson systematics of the 1/2^?: ¦510¦ and 3/2^? ¦512¦ orbitals in odd-A Os isotopes with increasing neutron number can be understood in terms of decreasing deformation. Anomalously large (d, p) and (d, t) cross sections populating 5/2^? and 3/2^? states at 134 and 142 keV, respectively, are explained as a tendency to restore the cross sections expected for a spherical nucleus. Evidence for triaxiality in¹⁹¹Os is observed in the form of a 5/2^? state at 273 keV which appears to be a rotational state built on the 9/2^? ground state.     

High spin states in103Rh

High spin states in¹⁰³Rh have been studied using the¹⁰⁰Mo(⁷Li, 4n) reaction. Standard in-beam measurements involving singlesγ-ray,γ-γ-t coincidences, angular distribution and linear polarization measurements have been performed. A perturbed band based on a 9/2⁺ state is interpreted as ag _9/2 coupled band. A sequence built on a 1/2^? state is related to thep _1/2 state. At higher excitation energy, in the range 2.2–3.7 MeV, the strongΔI=1 cascade observed, connecting negative parity levels, probably arises from states including three quasi-particle configurations.     

Low-spin states of153Gd observed in the decay of153Tb

Level structure of the 89-neutron nucleus¹⁵³Gd has been investigated by studying theEC-decay of isotope-separated¹⁵³Tb sources with several semiconductor detectors. In addition to singles gamma and electron spectra,γ-γ ande ^?-γ coincidences were investigated by using Ge(Li) and Si(Li) spectrometers and a high-capacity two-parameter recording system. In all, 191γ-rays are assigned to the decay of the 2.4d¹⁵³Tb. The proposed level scheme of¹⁵³Gd containing most of the observed transitions shows a very high density of low-spin states (45 states below 1.5MeV). Spin and/or parity assignments based mainly on coincidence data and measured transition multipolarities are proposed for a majority of these states. Nilsson model classifications of some levels are discussed. On the basis of logf t values the spin and parity of the ground state of¹⁵³Tb are suggested to be 3/2⁺ or 5/2⁺.     

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.     

On the decay of compound nuclei following alpha-particle and12C induced reactions

Multiple coincidence rates have been measured using a detector system consisting of a Ge(Li) spectrometer and eight NaI(Tl) or eight liquid scintillators. Reactions induced byα-particles with energies of 51–55 MeV and 118 MeV¹²C ions are studied. The data are analysed to give the first and second central moments of the distribution of the number ofγ-rays feeding individual levels in the final nuclei. When these numbers are compared to spin distributions calculated with the statistical model code GROGI the relative importance of dipole and quadrupole deexcitation modes can be ascertained. In particular, in the¹²²Te(α, 4n)¹²²Xe reaction theγ-decay prior to the entry into the ground band is well described as a statistical process proceeding to 50% by dipole and 50% by quadrupole radiation. In the¹⁶⁶Er(α,4n)¹⁶⁶Yb and¹⁹²Os(α,4n)¹⁹²Pt reactions the relative amount of quadrupole radiation is larger and it seems that the dipole and quadrupole decay takes place via separate cascades. In the¹⁶⁴Dy(¹²C, 7-8n) reactions the average multiplicity is independent of spin, suggesting that the nucleus forgets the spin of the entry state before the process enters into the ground band. In the¹⁷⁶Yb(¹²C, 8n)¹⁸⁰Os reaction, finally, the nucleus definitely retains memory of the entry state during the decay. In this last case the multiplicity measurement is combined with aγ-ray singles measurement to give an average excitation energy prior to theα-decay and the average moment of inertia characterising the decay of the high-spin states.     

The structure of25Mg

Gamma-decay modes and spin(-parity) assignments of levels in²⁵Mg have been systematically investigated up to 10 MeV excitation energy by particle-γ-ray angularcorrelation measurements with the²⁴Mg(d, pγ) reaction at 6.5 MeV bombarding energy and with the²²Ne(α,nγ) reaction at 11.8, 12.5, 14.4 and 15.5 MeV bombarding energy. A level scheme has been established which is comprehensive up to 8.3 MeV excitation energy forI≦9/2 and up to 10 MeV for 9/2O d _5/2 — 1s _1/2-O d _3/2 shell and the unifieds-d shell Hamiltonian. The agreement is good to excellent. The first intruder states are located near 6.8 MeV excitation energy. The collective properties of²⁵Mg beyond the well established rotational bands are investigated using both the new experimental information and theB(E2)'s obtained from the shell model. The spectrum of²⁵Mg is completely rotational for the first five to six MeV above the yrast line. Shell modelB (M 1)'s reflect the Nilsson model structure of²⁵Mg in great detail. The prospectiveI ^π=9/2^?, 13/2^?, and 15/2^? members of the established negative-parity,K=1/2 band are found in levels atE _x=7801, 9410, and 8896 keV.     

Low-lying states in112In

Low-lying states below 500 keV excitation in¹¹²In have been investigated via the¹¹²Cd(p, nγ) reaction. New levels have been established atE ^x=206.5keV and 456.1 keV from the measuredγ-ray excitation functions,γ?γ coincidences and the precision measurements of the (p, n) threshold energy of the ground state and of the 206.5 keV state of¹¹²In. Spins and parities of the 206.5 keV state (2⁺) and the 456.1 keV state (3⁺) and multipolarities and mixing ratios of the deexcitationγ-rays have been determined from the angular distributions and linear polarizations of the deexcitation γ-rays as well as the excitation functions of the residual levels. Possible configurations of the newly-found levels are discussed. Half-lives of two states have been remeasured:T _1/2=15.2±0.1 min for the ground state andT _1/2=20.9±0.1 min for the 156.4 keV (4⁺) state. The ground stateQ-value for the¹¹²Cd(p, n)¹¹² In reaction has been measured to be ?3.376±0.006 MeV.