Deformation of the N=Z nucleus 76Sr using beta-decay studies

A novel method of deducing the deformation of the N=Z nucleus 76Sr is presented. It is based on the comparison of the experimental Gamow-Teller strength distribution B(GT) from its beta decay with the results of quasi-random-phase approximation calculations. This method confirms previous indications of the strong prolate deformation of this nucleus in a totally independent way. The measurement has been carried out with a large total absorption gamma spectrometer, "Lucrecia," newly installed at CERN-ISOLDE.     

Interplay of direct and spin-flip contributions in Gamow-Teller decay to odd-odd N = Z nuclei

Strengths of Gamow-Teller decays of T_z = ±1 nuclei to T_z = 0 odd-odd nuclei have been calculated by using spherical shell model and deformed Nilsson wave functions. The role and competition of the microscopic direct and spin-flip mechanisms generating Gamow-Teller transitions are analyzed. Analytical expressions derived for the B(GT) values give useful insight into the regularities of B(GT) values along the N = Z line. The crucial role of configuration mixing is discussed.     

Beta-decay of the N = Z nucleus 72Kr

The beta-decay of the N = Z, even-even nucleus ⁷²Kr has been studied at the ISOLDE PSB facility at CERN. Measurements of βγ and βγγ coincidences have enriched the decay scheme of the daughter nucleus ⁷²Br with 27 new low spin levels. A more precise half-life of T _1/2 = 17.1(2) s has been determined. Strong feeding to the ⁷²Br ground state is established yielding an unambiguous J ^π = 1⁺ assignment for this state. Candidates for the ⁷²Br g.s. wave function are discussed in the framework of a self-consistent deformed mean-field calculation with SG2 Skyrme force and pairing correlations. A search for beta-delayed particle emission was made and an upper limit of 10^-6 for this decay branch obtained. The cumulated experimental level density of 1⁺ states has been fitted with the constant temperature formula. The comparison indicates that most likely all 1⁺ levels up to 1.2 MeV have been observed in this investigation. The corresponding nearest-neighbour level spacing does not follow a Poisson distribution. The Gamow-Teller strength distribution is compared, in terms of nuclear deformation, with different calculations made in the framework of the quasiparticle random phase approximation. Received: 7 February 2002 / Accepted: 31 October 2002 / Published online: 6 March 2003 RID="a" ID="a"e-mail: borge@pinar2.csic.es RID="b" ID="b"Present address: Centre d' Etudes Nucléaires de Bordeaux-Gradignan, Le Haut Vigneau, F-33175 Gradignan Cedex, France. RID="c" ID="c"Present address: University Mentouri, 25000 Constantine, Algeria. Communicated by J. ?yst?     

Breaking of the SU(4) limit for the Gamow-Teller strength in N ∼ Z nuclei

We have performed large-scale shell model calculations of the Gamow-Teller strength distributions in N ∼ Z pf -shell nuclei. These calculations were motivated by the experimental attempts to measure the low-lying GT strength for the even-even N = Z + 2 or N = Z - 2 nuclei ⁴⁶Ti , ⁵⁰Cr , ⁵⁴Fe and ⁶²Ge , where a sizable low-energy GT strength could be interpreted as reminiscence of SU(4) symmetry; in the limit of exact SU(4) symmetry the GT_- strength would be concentrated in a single transition to the lowest T = 0, J = 1⁺ state in the daughter. We confirm that the SU(4) symmetry is strongly broken by the spin-orbit interaction and by increasing neutron excess.     

Alignment delays in the N = Z nuclei (72)Kr, (76)Sr, and (80)Zr

The ground state rotational bands of the N = Z nuclei (72)Kr, (76)Sr, and (80)Zr have been extended into the angular momentum region where rotation alignment of particles is normally expected. By measuring the moments of inertia of these bands we have observed a consistent increase in the rotational frequency required to start pair breaking, when compared to neighboring nuclei. (72)Kr shows the most marked effect. It has been widely suggested that these "delayed alignments" arise from np-pairing correlations. However, alignment frequencies are very sensitive to shape degrees of freedom and normal pairing, so the new experimental observations are still open to interpretation.     

Large angle elastic alpha scattering on a N=Z nucleus above A=40

Scattering of alpha particles from 44Ti, the lightest unstable alpha-particle nucleus above A=40, has been measured at backward angles. The "anomalous" order-of-magnitude enhancement that is characteristic of 40Ca and other light alpha-particle nuclei is not observed. Instead, the backward yield is similar to that observed for other nuclei heavier than 40Ca, and is well described with average optical model parameters.     

Mixed symmetry states and isospin excitation in the N =Z nucleus 28Si

The interacting boson model with isospin (IBM-3) has been used to study the isospin excitation states and mixed symmetry states at low spin for 28Si. The theoretical calculations are in agreement with experimental data. The theoretical results show that the 81+ energy is 14.73 MeV.     

First identification of excited states in the N = Z nucleus 70Br

Excited states in the T_z = 0 nucleus ⁷⁰Br have been investigated using the reaction ⁵⁸Ni(¹⁶O,1p3n). % rays were detected with one EUROBALL CLUSTER detector and three single HPGe detectors. Charged particles and neutrons were registered with the Rossendorf silicon ball and six modules of the EUROBALL neutron wall, respectively. The identification of % transitions in ⁷⁰Br is based on the analysis of %%-proton-neutron coincidences. A level scheme of ⁷⁰Br has been established for the first time. It shows a multiplet-like structure of probably isospin T = 0 while T = 1 isobaric analogue states are not observed.     

Evidence for shape coexistence in the N=Z nucleus 7236Kr36

Gamma rays associated with the decay of states in the N=Z nucleus ⁷²Kr have been identified following the ¹⁶O(⁵⁸Ni, 2n) ⁷²Kr reaction at a mean beam energy of 170 MeV. Identification was made using the Daresbury Recoil Separator. The first excited state was found to be at 709.1 ± 0.3 keV and to be populated with a cross section of 60 ± 25 υb. The pattern of gamma rays associated with ⁷²Kr indicates the co-existence of nuclear shapes.     

Some progress in research on octupole deformation around Z=56, N=88 nuclei

Recent progress in research on octupole deformation around Z=56, N=88 neutron-rich nuclei by our cooperative groups of Tsinghua University, Vanderbilt University and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has been introduced. The experiment was carried out by measuring the prompt γ-rays in spontaneous fission of ²⁵²Cf with the Gammasphere detector array. The new results of     

Mixed symmetry states and electromagnetic transition in the N=Z nucleus ^28Si

The interacting boson model with isospin （IBM-3） has been used to study mixed symmetry states and electromagnetic transitions at low-lying states for a ^28Si nucleus. The theoretical calculations show that the 24^＋ state is the lowest mixed symmetry state in ^28Si and the 43＋ state is also a mixed symmetry state.     

Gamow-Teller resonances and nuclear structure

By means of numerical calculations in the framework of the continuum shell model, it is shown that a resonance state with simple nuclear structure can be localized in energy despite strong fragmentation of the discrete state because of its short lifetime. Such a reduction in the degree of mixing is not taken into account in the traditional nuclear structure investigations of discrete states. The results obtained are applied to an interpretation of both the isobaric analogue and the Gamow-Teller resonances. The role of internal and external mixing is discussed.     

Theoretical investigation of the Gamow-Teller transition across N=40 shell

The Gamow-Teller transitions for pf shell nuclei with proton number less than 40 and neutron number larger than 40 were believed to be blocked, due to the full filling of the neutron orbit. However, recent experimental research shows that the Gamow-Teller transitions for these kinds of nuclei are not blocked. In this paper, we systematically calculate the GT transition of pf shell nuclei ⁷⁶Se in different truncations, and the results are compared with experimental results. It is shown that, due to correlations, the believed blocked GT transition occurs, and the shell model calculations reproduce the experimental GT strength. In addition, the electron capture rates in a stellar environment are calculated and discussed.     

Influence of the spin-orbit couplingon nuclear superfluidity along the N = Z line

We show that the spin-orbit potential of the nuclear mean field destroys isoscalar superfluid correlations in self-conjugate nuclei. Using group theory and boson mapping techniques on a Hamiltonian including single particle splittings and a SO _ST(8) pairing interaction, we give analytical expressions for the spin-orbit dependence of some N = Z properties such as the relative position of T = 0 and T = 1 states in odd-odd systems or double binding-energy differences of even-even nuclei. Received: 12 April 2000 / Accepted: 25 May 2000     

Isospin mixing between low-lying states of the odd-odd N = Z nucleus 54Co

Isospin mixing of the recently discovered doublet of 4(+) states with isospin quantum numbers T = 0 and T = 1 in 54Co is analyzed. It is shown that the measured E2/M1 multipole mixing ratios can be used to estimate the isospin mixing of these states. Combining the new experimental data with results of a shell model calculation, the amount of isospin mixing is found to be approximately 0.2%.