The decay of 1.2 min Ag and 5.3 h Ag

The decay schemes of 1.2 min and 5.3 h ¹¹³Ag have been studied using Ge(Li) and NaI(Tl) detectors and a 4096-channel multiparameter pulse-height analyser system. The decay of 5.3 h ¹¹³Ag was found to involve 15 γ-rays and to produce 10 excited states in ¹¹³Cd at energies of 264.7, 298.0, 315.6, 583.9, 604.6, 681.1, 883.6, 936.9, 989.0 and 1195.2 keV. The italicized energies refer to negative parity states, through which 1.3% of the decays go to yield the isomer at 264.7 keV. The 604.6 keV level is thought to be a case|9/2⁻ level similar for those found in several odd-mass Te and Xe isotopes. The 1.2 min ^113mAg decay was found to populate several of the same levels in Cd and two additional levels at 452 and 689 keV. The 1.2 min ¹¹³Ag is the upper isomer with high spin, probably .     

Decay of the 55 min and 12 min Te isomers

Gamma rays emitted in the decay of the ¹³³Te isomers, 55.4 min ^133mTe and 12.5 min ^133gTe, have been observed with Ge(Li) detectors. Sources were prepared by separating Sb from fission products, allowing several minutes for decay of 2.7 min ¹³³Sb and then separating the Te daughter activities. A total of 29 γ-rays between 312 and 2541 keV were attributed to decay of ^133gTe and 30 from 74 to 2050 keV to that of ^133mTe. Gamma-gamma coincidences in the decay of ^133gTe were observed with a NaI(Tl)---Ge(Li) set-up. The decay scheme of ^133gTe was constructed, involving placement of 25 of the γ-rays emitted. The decay of ^133gTe populates levels in ¹³³I at 0, 312, 720, 787, 1313, 1333, 1374, 1565, 1718, 2137, 2194 and 2541 keV. The decay of ^133mTe is very complicated, and we have not attempted construction of a complete decay scheme for it; however, levels at 913 and 1561 keV in ¹³³I are definitely populated in ^133mTe decay. The value for Q_β of ¹³³Te was measured as 3.52±0.10 MeV. The low-lying levels of the odd-mass iodine isotopes vary smoothly through the series ¹²⁵I through ¹³³I. The levels of ¹³³I are fitted rather well by predictions based on quasi-particle-phonon coupling.     

Decay of Ru, Zr and Nb

The decay of ⁹⁷Ru, ⁹⁷zr and ⁹⁷Nb to levels in ⁹⁷Tc, ⁹⁷Nb and ⁹⁷Mo has been studied with Ge(Li), NaI(Tl), plastic scintillation, and Si (Li) detectors in singles and coincidence experiments. Level schemes were constructed with states in ⁹⁷Te at 96.5, 215.2, 324.4, (560), 785.5, 856 and 971 keV; in ⁹⁷Nb at 743.5, 1148.6, 1251.4, 1276.6, 1549.2, 1751.2, 1764.0, 1852.0, 2106.9 and 2247 keV; and in ⁹⁷Mo at 656.0, 1022.0, 1274.5 and 1514 keV. From β-endpoint energies, disintegration energies of ⁹⁷Zr and ⁹⁷Nb were determined to be 2580 ± 50 keV and 1830 ± 50 keV, respectively. Decay scheme considerations and an upper limit to the β⁺/ec ratio established the disintegration energy of ⁹⁷Ru to be about 1100 keV. Neither the effective-interaction method nor the pairing-correlation model accounts for the experimentally determined levels in mass-97 nuclei.     

The decay of Se

The gamma-ray spectrum associated with the electron capture decay of ⁷⁵Se has been studied with Ge(Li) spectrometers. Coincidence spectra were taken with a Ge(Li)---Ge(Li) combination. The data do not support a recent report of several new gamma rays in the decay of ⁷⁵Se. Gamma-gamma angular correlation experiments were performed with a NaI(Tl)---Ge(Li) combination. The value obtained for δ(280 keV) is in excellent agreement with one recently reported value but in poor agreement with another. The ratio P_K/P_tot for the electron capture branch to the 401 keV level of ⁷⁵As has been determined, and the result agrees with previous experimental determinations.     

Isomerism in Ag and non-yrast levels in Pd and Rh, studied in β decay

The β decay of ⁹⁶Ag (Z=47,N=49) was investigated by measuring positrons, X rays as well as β-delayed protons and γ rays. The γ radiation was studied by means of germanium detectors and a NaI total-absorption spectrometer. Two β-decaying isomers in ⁹⁶Ag were established with half-lives of 4.40(6) and 6.9(6) s and tentative spin–parity assignments of (8⁺) and (2⁺), respectively. For both isomers, the intensities of β transitions to low-lying levels of ⁹⁶Pd (Z=46,N=50) and β-delayed proton decays to levels in ⁹⁵Rh (Z=45,N=50) were measured. Several new ⁹⁶Pd levels were firmly established. The level energies, their γ decays and the Gamow–Teller decay of ⁹⁶Ag are compared to shell-model predictions. A new low-lying level in ⁹⁵Rh was found at 680 keV excitation energy. Through a comparison with low-lying states of N=50 isotones, this level is interpreted as the first excited 7/2⁺ state built on the proton 9/2⁺ ground state. The assignments of further excited states in ⁹⁵Rh are discussed.     

Low-intensity transitions in the decay of Rb

The γ-rays following the decay of ⁸⁸Rb have been studied with a 40 cm³ Ge(Li) detector with the aim of resolving discrepancies in some recent determinations of the decay scheme of this isotope. The existence of a 1799 keV γ-ray has been confirmed and three new γ-rays with energies of 1218, 1295 and 1368 keV have been found. All of these results are in good agreement with a decay scheme recently proposed by Ragaini and Knight.     

Excited levels of Pa

The -decay spectrum of ²³⁷Np was measured with a semiconductor spectrometer of 18 keV effective resolution (FWHM). Over 13 new lines were identified. The γ-ray spectrum of ²³⁷Np and ²³³Th from 20 to 1000 keV was studied with high-resolution Ge(Li) and Si(Li) detectors. From these data and previous results, a more complete level scheme of ²³³Pa is constructed.

Nilsson assignments for rotational bands based on levels at 0, 86.6 and 237.7 keV are confirmed. A new band whose lowest member is the level at 170.3 keV is identified and new levels with probable vibrational character are studied.     

The decay of Ho and Ho

The disintegration characteristics of ^164mHo and ^164gHo have been studied using a high-resolution Ge(Li) spectrometer. Radioactive samples of ^164mHo and ^164gHo were obtained through the (n, 2n) reaction on spectroscopically pure holmium oxide with 14 MeV neutrons. The isomeric cross-section ratio for the yields of the ground and metastable states has been estimated to be 1.0±0.25. Gamma rays of 37.7 and 56.1 keV energy have been assigned to the decay of ^164mHo and 73.4 and 91.5 keV γ-rays are attributed to the decay of ^164gHo by electron capture and negaton emission, respectively. The branching ratio for the electron capture decay of ^164gHo to the levels in ¹⁶⁴Dy has been estimated accurately from the analysis of X-ray intensities. The results have been incorporated into a decay scheme.     

The decay of Sc and V

The decays of ⁴⁸Sc and ⁴⁸V have been studied with Ge(Li) diodes, scintillation spectrometers and a double focussing beta-ray spectrometer. The 3507 keV level, from which originates the quadruple cascade (9.4±0.5)% in the ⁴⁸Sc decay, is also de-excited by a 1212 keV cross-over transition to the 2295 keV (4⁺) level and supports the assumption, that the 3507 keV level has a spin 6⁺. The first member of the reported triple cascade in the ⁴⁸V decay is shown to be a doublet of 928.9±0.7 (1.2±0.2)% and 944.3±0.5 keV (8.0±0.5)% gamma rays, both followed by the 1311.4–983.3 keV cascade. Evidence was found, that the 2421 keV (2⁺) level is excited by weak gamma rays from high-energy levels. The K/β⁺ ration in the ⁴⁸V decay is 0.69±0.05 The Q-values of ⁴⁸Sc and ⁴⁸V are calculated to be 3986±7 keV and if 4015±4 keV, respectively. The energy of the gamma ray of ⁴⁷Sc, which is present as an impurity, is 159.2±0.5 keV.     

Energy levels of Kr populated by Br decay

The γ-rays following the β-decay of ⁸²Br have been investigated using a 220 mm³ Ge(Li) detector, an anti-Compton NaI(Tl) spectrometer and a two-dimensional coincidence arrangement. The ⁸²Br was produced by thermal neutron activation of ammonium bromide. The presence of eight, well-known and 11 weak γ-rays has been established. It has been shown through half-life measurements that the newly identified γ-rays belong to ⁸²Br decay and that the high-energy peaks are not to summing effects. All the reported transitions have been incorporated in a level scheme of ⁸²Kr by introducing levels at 0, 776, 1474, 1820, 1953, 2093, 2426, 2554, 2647 and 2828 keV. Limits on probable spin and parity values for the newly-introduced levels have been established. The level introduced at 2828 keV on the basis of a 1008–1043 keV γγ-coincidence must be fed by a weak β-branch of ⁸²Br with an end-point energy of 263 keV and log ft of approximately 6.1.     

Coincidence measurements on the decay of Tm (87 d)

The decay of ¹⁶⁸Tm(87 d) has been studied with Ge(Li) detectors in singles and in coincidence with a NaI detector. The energies and intensities of the following previously established transitions were obtained: 79.8, 99.3, 173.8, 184.4, 198.3, 273.0, 348.5, 4.22.2, 447.6, 546.8, 557.0, 631.7, 645.75, 673.7, 720.4, 730.7, 741.4, 748.25, 816.0, 821.1, 829.9, 914.8, 928.9, 1014.2, 1167.3, 1277.3, 1323.7, 1351.4 and 1461.5 keV. Additional γ-ray transitions at 284.5, 853.2, 1262.6 and 1489.7 keV were observed. These data were combined with the available internal conversion electron data to obtain internal conversion coefficients. Branching ratios for E2 transitions de-exciting levels in the gamma band and E1 transitions de-exciting the negative-parity states were calculated and compared with theoretical estimates. Prompt and delayed coincidence measurements were carried out using a 2 mm Ge(Li) detector and a 7.6 cm × 7.6 cm NaI detector. Gates were set at 79.8, 99.3, 184.4, 198.3 and 447.6 keV and on transitions in the region from 700 to 850 keV. The delayed coincidence measurements were made to investigate the population and decay of the 0.12 μsec state at 1094.1 keV and support the placement of the 348.5 keV transition in the decay scheme. A revised decay scheme is presented.     

The decay of Ag

The γ-radiation following the decay of ¹¹²Ag has been studied with a Ge(Li) detector. A total of 76 γ-rays was observed. The γ-γ coincidence and angular correlation relations involving the 617 keV 2⁺-0⁺ transition have been measured using Ge(Li)-NaI(Tl) and NaI(Tl)-NaI(Tl) detectors. These results have been used to confirm spins and parities of some levels of ¹¹²Cd in the proposed decay scheme. Cross sections for ¹¹²Ag production by ¹¹⁵In(n,α) and ¹¹²Cd(n, p) reactions have been measured; the ¹¹²Ag half-life has been determined as 3.14 ± 0.02 h.     

The decay of 91 min As

The energies and relative intensities of γ-rays following the β-decay of ⁷⁸As (and ⁷⁶As) to levels in ⁷⁸Se (and ⁷⁶Se) have been measured using an 8 cm³ Ge(Li) spectrometer. The β-decay of ⁷⁸As has been measured using a superconducting magnet beta-ray spectrometer with two 3 mm thick Si(Li) detectors. These data plus β-γ and γ-γ coincidence results have been used to construct a level scheme with 18 excited levels in ⁷⁸Se. The half-life of ⁷⁸As was measured to be 90.7±0.2 min.     

Search for weak transitions in the decay of125Sb and accurate gamma intensities

The weak transitions in the decay of¹²⁵Sb have been investigated through gamma ray measurements with high resolution X-ray and with large volume Ge(Li) detectors. The 172.6, 178.8 and 198.5 keV gamma rays are confirmed, while others previously reported were not. Accurate intensities were obtained for the stronger transitions. The weighted averages of these intensities which cover the range of 116 to 670 keV are useful for calibration of Ge(Li) systems.     

Energy levels of174Yb populated in the decay of174Tm

The decay of the¹⁷⁴Tm activity has been studied with Ge(Li) detectors and with a Ge(Li)—NaI(Tl) coincidence arrangement. Gamma ray energies and relative intensities were determined. Five new gamma transitions are reported, four of which have been placed in the decay scheme in addition to the previously observed but unplaced 1305 keV transition. Five energy levels at 1557.7, 1762.1, 1781.1, 1877.5 and 2050.1 keV not earlier reported to be populated in the decay of¹⁷⁴Tm are suggested. Some spin and parity assignments are proposed and the intrinsic structure of several states is discussed in terms of two quasi-particle excitations. For the half-life of¹⁷⁴Tm a value 5.4±0.1 min was measured.     

The isomers Tc, Ru, Tb and Bi

The decay of the isomers in ¹⁰¹Tc, ¹⁰³Ru, ¹⁵⁸Tb and ²⁰⁸Bi produced by 28 MeV bremsstrahlung has been re-investigated with a Ge(Li) counter. The previously deduced decay schemes of ¹⁵⁸Tb and ²⁰⁸Bi have been confirmed. The previously reported isomer in ¹⁵⁹Gd has not been found by irradiation of a ¹⁶⁰Gd sample. It is argued that this isomer is identical with the ¹⁵⁸Tb isomer.     

Der Zerfall des122Xe (T 1/2=20,l h) und des122J (T 1/2=3,6min)

Theγ spectra emitted in the decay of¹²²Xe and¹²²I have been investigated using Ge(Li) detectors and a Ge(Li)-NaI coincidence apparatus. 14γ transitions with energies between 61.8 and 416.9 keV have been identified in the decay of¹²²Xe, 44 transitions between 564.0 and 3,291.0 keV in the decay of¹²²I. Level schemes having 7 excited levels for¹²²I and 21 excited levels for¹²²Te are proposed.     

Low-lying 134Cs excited states from the (n, γ) reaction

Low-energy γ-ray and conversion electron spectra from the ¹³³Cs(n,γ)¹³⁴Cs reaction have been investigated with a bent cyrstal spectrometer, β-speetrometer, Ge(Li) and Si(Li) detectors. Gamma-gamma coincidence measurements were made with the Ge(Li)-Ge(Li) arrangement. Gamma-gamma delayed coincidences have been studied with the use of the Ge(Li)-NaI(Tl) coincidence set-up. The decay of 2.9 h ^134mCs has been investigated with the prism β-spectrometer and Ge(Li) detector. The half-lives of the 176.403 and 257.112 keV levels have been measured to be 49.7 ± 0.8ns and 12.3 ± 1.1 ns respectively. The neutron binding energy B_n have been calculated to be 6891.4 ± 1.3 keV. Spin and parity assignments have been made for almost all the levels. The possible structure of the levels deduced is discussed.     

The decay of 23.0 min Rb to levels in Kr

The radioactive decay of ⁷⁹Rb(23.0±0.5 min) has been studied with the aid of semiconductor radiation detectors. Both singles and coincidence spectra have been recorded. The decay energy: 3520±45 keV was determined by measuring the endpoint of the positon spectrum in coincidence with prominent γ-rays. A decay scheme is proposed incorporating most of the measured γ-rays. The following energies in keV and parities of levels are assigned: ground state ( ), , , , , 383.71±0.18, 532.82±0.33, 688.21±0.09, , 934.0±1.4, 1089.4±0.4, 1474.7±0.3. The spin and parity of the ⁷⁹Rb ground state is most probably .     

Cross sections for several (n, 2n) reactions at 14 Mev

Precision measurements of the cross sections of the (n, 2n) reactions to produce ^44mSc, ⁸⁸Y, ⁸⁹Zr, ⁹²Nb, ¹⁵⁰Eu(35y), ¹⁶⁸Tm, ^174m+gLu and ¹⁹⁶Au were made for a range of neutron energies from 13.7 to 15.0 MeV. The samples were irradiated at various positions on the surface of a 20 cm radius sphere centered at the ²H–³H neutron source. This allowed a range of neutron energies to be obtained with good energy resolution. The ²⁷Al(n, )²⁴Na reaction was used to monitor the neutron fluence in the target samples. Particular attention was given to the accurate measurement of the (n, 2n) products, using calibrated Ge(Li) and NaI(Tl) detectors. An uncertainty of about ±5% is assigned to the results, except those for ¹⁵⁰Eu and ¹⁷⁴Lu, which have an additional uncertainty in their decay schemes.