A Si(Li) detector system for conversion coefficient measurements and application to the decays of51Cr and87Y

An electron detector system with a 3 mm × 100 mm² Si(Li) detector with a cooled FET and vacuum air lock for changing sources was constructed. The absolute efficiency was measured as a function of energy for use in the measurement ofK conversion coefficients. With the Si(Li) and a Ge(Li) detector, theK conversion coefficient of the 320 keV transition in⁵¹V was measured to be 0.00156 ± 0.00008 where theK conversion coefficients of the 661 and 279 keV transitions in¹³⁷Ba and²⁰³Tl were used as standards. From absolute detection efficiency measurements, theK conversion coefficients of the 388 and 483 keV transitions in⁸⁷Sr were measured to be 0.16 ± 0.02 and 0.0024 ± 0.0003, respectively.     

Measurements of someK-internal conversion coefficients near threshold

TheK-internal conversion coefficients have been measured by the XPG technique for a number of low energyγ-ray transitions whose energies do not exceed theK-binding energies by more than 4 keV. Using Si(Li) detectors in singles and coincidence arrangements, the following results were obtained: 63.1 keV El in¹⁶⁹Tm(α_K=1.02±0.15), 72.0 keV E1 in¹⁸⁷Re (0.75±0.05), 57.8 keV M1 in¹⁶²Ho (11.42±0.67), 56.6 keV M1 in¹⁶⁴Ho (12.04±0.70), and 67.1 keV M1 in¹⁷⁴Lu(10.25±0.58). The experimental results are compared with the theoretical calculations which include transition energies down to 1 keV above threshold.     

TheK-conversion coefficient near threshold of the 30 keV isomeric transition in108mAg decay

With calibrated Ge(Li) x-ray detectorsK x rays in the conversion of the 30 keV isomeric transition in the decay of^108mAg were observed in coincidence with 79 keV γ-rays. Thus, the fraction of 30 keV transitions which take place byK conversion was measured to be (2.44±0.23) × 10^?2. Making use of a theoretical total conversion coefficient (K conversion contributes only a minor part of the total conversion coefficient), an experimental value of theK-conversion coefficient was obtained, α_K=(1.07 ± 0.10) × 10⁴ (where the error represents twice the standard deviation to which the error in the detector efficiency has been added linearly). This value agrees with the theory of Hager and Seltzer forM4 conversion. The energy of the cascading γ-ray was remeasured to be 79.20 ± 0.05 keV.     

Innere Konversion der 161 keV- und 223 keV-Übergänge in133Cs

Using a Ge(Li)-Si (Li)-spectrometer the 161 keV and 223 keV transitions of¹³³Cs were investigated. TheK-conversion coefficients were deduced to beα _K =0.205±0.007 andK-conversion coefficients were deduced to beα _K =0.0743±0.0043, respectively. TheK/L ratio for the 161 keV transition is 4.72±0.37. From theK-conversion coefficients were deduced to beα _K -values,M1 penetration factors ofλ=8.6±3.4 andλ=7.8 _?2.8 ^3.0 were deduced which are inconsistent with known data from angular correlation experiments (λ=40±10 andλ=90±13). The penetration factor fromK/L-measurement for the 161 keV-transition isλ=52±19. A theoretical reinvestigation of the formulas used in the literature appears recommendable. Furthermore, theK/L ratio of the 1770 keV transition of²⁰⁷Pb was determined experimentally to be 5.52±0.54.     

Multipole mixing ratios of transitions in168Er

Time-integral and time-differentialγ-γ directional correlation measurements were performed for cascades in¹⁶⁸Er populated from the electron-capture decay of¹⁶⁸Tm(87d). The¹⁶⁸Tm source was dissolved in HF acid to minimize extranuclear perturbations. The results of the time-differential experiment for the 448-99.3 keV and 448-198 keV cascades showed agreement with time dependent interaction and gaveλ ₂(1094)=(0.79±0.09) ×10⁷ sec^?1. The attenuation factors for the 80 keV level were determined asG ₂₂ (80)=0.90±0.01 and G₄₄(80)=0.94±0.01. OnlyI=4 spin value for the 1094 keV level is consistent with our measurements. The 632, 731, 741, and 816 keV transitions connecting theK=2⁺ andK = 0⁺ rotational bands were found to be of almost pureE2 character. The 99.3, 198, 547, 720, 830, and 1277 keV transitions are of practically pureE1 multipolarity. The 448 keVMl transition has (0.8 _?0.4 ^+2.0 )%E2 admixture. The results for the 1014?80keV cascade give (23±4)%E3 component in the 1014 keV transition.     

Study of Er171 decay by means of an electron-gamma coincidence technique

The decay scheme of Er¹⁷¹ (7.8 h) has been reinvestigated by means of an electron-gamma coincidence spectrometer and a scintillation spectrometer with a transistorized RIDL-400 channel analyser. A careful unfolding of the high energy region of the gamma-ray spectrum revealed the presence of photopeaks at energies of approximately 371, 404, 543, 572, 618, 675, 738, 796, 869, 910 and 962 keV. The existence of 32 transitions in Tm¹⁷¹ was confirmed. Also, it is proved that the 277, 362 keV transitions are in coincidence with the 210 keV and that the 175 keV transition is in coincidence with the 86 keV transition. We revealed the doubt for the existence of the 166, 210, 236, 277 and 419 keV transitions. From coincidence and single counting rates the followingK-conversion coefficients of the 111, 116, 124, 296 and 308 keV transitions were determined to be: α _K (111)=1.561±0.062, α _K (116)=0.699±0.035, α _K (124)=0.608±0.024, α _K (296)=0.0197±0.0010, α _K (308)=0.0183±0.0009, which give the 116, 124 keV transitions an electric quadrupole character; the 111 keV transition a magnetic dipole character withE2/M1 equal 0.4528; and the 296, 308 keV transitions an electric dipole character withM2/E1 equal 0.0058 and 0.0071 respectively.     

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.     

K-electron capture probabilities in the decays of Gd151 and Dy159

TheK-electron capture probability,P _K, in the allowed and non-unique first-forbidden transitions is measured by observing coincidences betweenK x rays and γ rays. The following results are obtained. In Gd¹⁵¹ decayP _K to the 349.8 keV level is 0.713 ± 0.015 andP _K to the 307.4 keV level is 0.813 ± 0.020. It is also deduced that the decay energyQ _EC is 491 _?9 ⁺¹⁴ keV and the spin of the 307.4 keV level is 7/2. In Dy¹⁵⁹ decayP _K to the 58.0 keV level is found to be 0.803 ± 0.032.     

Electron capture intensities in the decay of133Ba

The ground state decay of¹³³Ba was investigated using NaI(Tl) scintillation crystals.P _L/P_K electron capture ratios were measured for the transitions to the 437 keV and to the 384 keV level of¹³³Cs. The results are: (P _L/P_K)₄₃₇=0.371±0.007 and (PP _L/P_K)₃₈₄=0.221±0.005. From these data a mass difference between the ground states of the¹³³Ba- and the¹³³Cs-atom of (515±3) keV was derived. Besides, these capture ratios yield an exchange correction of 1.03±0.03. Furthermore, the intensity of the transition to the 161 keV level was determined to be smaller than 0.5% of all decays.     

Determination of absoluteK-internal conversion coefficients of some transitions in Ce140 by the internal-external conversion method

The internalK-conversion coefficients of the 331, 431, 815 and 933 keV transitions following the decay of La¹⁴⁰ have been determined absolutely by the method of comparing internal and external conversion lines measured in a double — focusing beta — ray spectrometers. TheK-internal conversion coefficients of the 4+→2+ 487 keV transition in Ce¹⁴⁰ was used to normalize relativeK-electron and gamma-ray intensities for these transitions. The results obtained are:α _K (331)=0.04432±0.00471,α _K (431)=0.28110±0.02913,α _K (815)=0.00396±0.00043,α _K (933)=0.00282±0.00031. Multipolarity assignments based on these values are suggested. The 815 keV transition is found to be pure magnetic dipole character in good agreement with the theoretical values calculated bySliv andBand. The 331 and 933 keV transitions are proved to have magnetic dipole character withE2/M1 equal 0.2852±0.0143 and 0.1750±0.0088 respectively. The 431 keV transition was found to have magnetic octupole character. The results obtained are most consistent with the assignment 2+, 4+, 2+, 3+ and 1+ for the 1597, 2084, 2184, 2410 and 2515 keV levels respectively.     

Decay of 120Sb

Single γ spectra and K _X coincidence spectra from ¹²⁰Sb decay are measured. The total internal conversion coefficients (ICCs) and those on the K-shell are determined for slowed E1 and E2 transitions in ¹²⁰Sn. Penetration effects are observed for which the penetration parameters are found to be λ₁ (89.9 keV, E1) = 3.6 ± 1.6 and λ₁ (197.3 keV, E2) = 6 ± 2.     

Internal conversion coefficients in the Hartree-Fock atomic model. Calculations and experiments for199Hg

The internal conversion coefficients were calculated for the transitions in¹⁹⁹Hg using both Hartree-Fock and Hartree-Fock-Slater atomic models. The relative conversion line intensities were measured with the magnetic spectrometers in Prague and Heidelberg. The multipolarities were determined to be:M1+(0.20±0.03)%E2, pure E2 and M 1+ (13.4 ±0.4)%E2 for the 50, 158 and 208 keV transitions, respectively. Allowing for the nuclear structure effect in M1 component we obtained: M1+(0.15±0.03) %E2,λ = 2.4±1.0 for the 50 keV and M1+ (10.9±0.7)% E2, λ=3.8±0.5 for the 208 keV transitions. Very good agreement was found between theory and experiment for the atomic subshells,K, L_1?3,M _1?5,N, andO + P.     

Decay studies of131Ba

Bombarding a⁸⁵Rb target by 27 MeVα-particles the following half-lives of excited states in different nuclei have been determined by means of the generalized controid shift method: in⁸⁷Y,T _1/2(2827.1 keV)=0.75±0.10 ns,T _1/2(2675.9 keV)=0.25±0.10 ns,T _1/2(3595.3 keV)=0.5±0.2 ns andT _1/2(2986.9, 3094.4 keV)<0.1 ns; in⁸⁸Y,T _1/2(232.1 keV)=0.8±0.1 ns and in⁸⁵Rb,T _1/2(151.2 keV)=0.6±0.1 ns. In⁸⁷Y, the members of the doublet (vg ₉ ^2/?2 )₈₊ (πp_1/2) are identified. E2 transition rates 21/2⁺? 17/2⁺ in odd A≈ 90 nuclei are shown to represent essentially core transitions. Evidence for the existence of seniority-five configurations is found.     

Internal conversion coefficients ofM4 transitions in125m, 127m, 129mTe decay

The internal conversion coefficients have been measured using a high resolution low energy Ge(Li) detector for the followingM4 transitions:¹²⁵Te: 109.27keV transitionα _T =357±11; RG method,¹²⁷Te: 88.26 keV transitionα _T =484±23; XPG method,¹²⁹Te: 105.50keV transitionα _T =213±10; XPG method. It is observed that these values are lower by 2.5–3.6% as compared with Hager and Seltzer's calculations. A comparison between experimental and theoreticalα _T andα _T values for elevenM4 transitions shows that the experimental values are systematically lower.     

Electric monopole component in the 2+' → 2+ transition in 192Pt

Angular correlation measurements of K- and L-conversion electrons following the decay ¹⁹²Ir → ¹⁹²Pt have been made using a spectrometer with Ge(Li) and Si (Li) detectors. Absolute and relative internal conversion coefficients of transitions in ¹⁹²Pt were measured, using an ICC and prism β-spectrometers, to ≈ 2 % and values of δ_γ determined from the relative ICC. The experimental values measured in the study, A₂₂(K296γ316) = 0.138 ± 0.010, A₂₂(L296γ316) = 0.125 ± 0.013, α_K(296) = 0.0711 ± 0.0011, K/L_III = 9.65 ± 0.13. With δ_γ = + 5.4 ± 0.2, were employed for determining the E0/E2 amplitude ratios of conversion transitions, q(E0/E2), and the penetration parameter λ of the Ml component for the 2⁺' → 2⁺ (296 keV) transition in ¹⁹²Pt. The angular correlation measurements of L-conversion electrons enabled the elimination of one of two ranges of values of q and λ usually obtained. For the first time in our work, analysis of the e_Lγ angular correlation for the determination of the E0 component in the transition was carried out. As a result, q = +0.04 ± 0.05 with λ = ?4.5 ± 3.5 was obtained for the 296 keV transition. In this case, _ρ(E0) = 0.004 ± 0.005 agrees with _ρ(E0) = +0.006 determined theoretically by Kumar and Baranger for the 2⁺' → 2⁺ transition     

Possible evidence for shape isomeric γ-decay in μ− atoms of 238U

A search for the γ-decay of the shape isomer in muonic ²³⁸U excited by radiationless transitions has been performed. Seven delayed transitions in the energy region of 700 to 3200 keV have been observed with a large Ge(Li) detector. Two transitions with E_γ = 2215 and 3131 keV have been attributed to the decay of the shape isomeric state into levels in the first well. The isomeric shift of the second minimum E₁₁ ≈ 600 keV in the presence of the muon and the decrease of the lifetime of the shape isomer to τ = 12 ± 2 ns give arguments in favour of the connection of shape isomerism with large quadrupole deformations.     

Gamma radiation in the decay of249Cf

Gamma radiation following alpha decay of²⁴⁹Cf was investigated with high resolution Ge(Li) detectors in singles and coincidence arrangements. Nine new γ-rays were identified and placed in the previously-known decay scheme. Their energies in keV and intensities relative to the 388 keV (100) γ-ray are: 37.5±0.1 (0.026), 65.87±0.1 (0.017), 121.5±0.4 (0.070), 229.2±0.2 (0.072), 255.7±0.2 (0.065), 390.5±0.2 (0.025), 405.9±0.1 (0.014), 588.8±0.1 (0.003), and 643.5±0.1 (0.007). Coincidence measurements revealed that the intensity of the 54.7 keV γ-ray is shared by three intraband transitions and that the 121.5 keV crossover transition is present in the ground-state band.     

Isomeric states in180Os

Two new isomers have been observed in¹⁸⁰Os. A high-K isomer withI, K ≧20 and a half-life ofT _1/2=12+4 ns have been established. It deexcites via two transitions into the 18⁺ level of the yrare band indicating an unusually smallK-hindrance factor. Evidence for an isomer withI, K>16 and a half-life ofT _1/2=41±10 ns was found. A half-life of 17±3 ns was measured for the previously known 7^? state at 1862 keV. The decay scheme of the previously known 7^? isomer at 1928 keV has been extended and a revised version is presented.     

Half-life measurements of intrinsic states in deformed odd-mass nuclei

The half-lives of the following intrinsic states in deformed odd-mass nuclei has been measured by delayed coincidences with a time-to-amplitude converter:

1. 5/2 5/2⁺[642] at 86.5 keV in¹⁵⁵Gd:T _1/2=6.7±0.3 ns, which results in the determination of theE1,ΔK=1 transition probability to the ground state 3/2 3/2^?[521] and first rotational state 5/2 3/2^?[521], yielding hindrance factors ofF _N ≈5.5 and ≈1.8 (F _W =3.1×10⁴ and 2.3×10⁴) respectively.
2. (3) 5/2 5/2^?[512] at 191.4 keV in¹⁶⁹Yb:T _1/2=3.35±0.15 ns and at 122.39 keV in¹⁷¹Yb:T _1/2=265±20 ns which results in the determination of the transition probabilities of theE1,ΔK=1 transitions to the ground states 7/2 7/2⁺[633], of theK-forbiddenM1 transitions to the 5/2 and 3/2 1/2^?[521] and of theE2 transitions to the 5/2, 3/2 and 1/2 1/2^?[521] states in both nuclei.

TheE1 transition probabilities are compared to the transitions between the same Nilsson states in¹⁷³Yb and¹⁷⁵Hf discussing the influence of the position of the Fermi surface — obtained from recent stripping and pick-up reactions — on these transition probabilities. Additional information on the decay scheme of¹⁷¹Lu→¹⁷¹Yb is obtained by delayed coincidence measurements. For testing the used time-to-amplitude converter the well known half-lives of the 482 keV level in¹⁸¹Ta (T _1/2=10.4±0.3 ns) and of the 279 keV level in²⁰³Tl (T _1/2=0.285 ±0.015 ns) were measured, in good agreement with other measurements.     

The four quasi-particle 178Hf isomeric state,its excitation energy and multipolarities of deexciting transitions

The decay properties of the 31 y ¹⁷⁸Hf isomeric state have been investigated by means of a Ge(Li)-NaI(Tl) Compton suppression device and a Si(Li) detector, as well as with Ge(Li) and Ge(Li), intrinsic Ge and Si(Li) coincidence arrangements. From the E3 character of the unobserved isomeric transition (11.7 ≦ E_IT ≦ 16.7 keV), deduced from L-subshell and M/L ratios, I^π, K of the isomeric level was determined as 16⁺, 16. The {p[404] ↓ + p1514] ↑ + n[514] ↓ + n[624]↑}_16⁺ + four quasi-particle configuration was assigned to this level at 2447.5 ± 2.5 keV. As proposed earlier the isomeric E3 transition decays to the 13^? level of the band built upon the I^π = 8^? isomer. The |g_K?g_R| values derived from $\text{E}\text{2}\text{M}\text{1}$ ratios of interband transitions show that the 8^? isomer contains about 36 % of the p[404] ↓ + p[514] ↑ configuration and about 64 % of the n[624] ↑ + n[514] ↓ configuration.