Alpha-decay of 39.3 h 254mEs isomer

Mass-separated samples of ^254mEs were used to investigate its α-decay scheme. Twelve α-groups were identified in a spectrum measured with the Argonne magnetic α-spectrometer. The favored α-transition populates a 211.8 keV level in ²⁵⁰Bk and four members of its rotational band were observed. A three-parameter α-γ time coincidence experiment showed that the 211.8 keV level decayed by three routes: two were prompt and one was delayed. The delayed γ-rays (50.07, 71.30, 90.7, 104.0, 126.0 and 175.7 keV) decayed with a 42±2ns half-life. The energies of the prompt γ-rays were 79.90, 96.3, 177.3 and 211.8 keV. From an α-ce^? coincidence experiment the multipolarity of the 211.8 keV transition was deduced to be E1. The α-branching was determined from an α-singles spectrum and was found to be 0.33±0.01%. From the results of the present investigation and the known properties of ²⁵⁰Bk and ^254mEs, the 211.8 keV state in ²⁵⁰Bk and the ^254mEs ground state were given $\text{{}\text{n}\text{622]}\text{3}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{;}\text{p}\text{633]}\text{7}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ assignment. Other levels in ²⁵⁰Bk were postulated at 104.0 (and its rotational member at 125.3), 131.9 and 175.3 keV and these were given tentative assignments of $\text{n}\text{620]}\text{1}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{;}\text{p}\text{521]}\text{3}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}\text{1}{}^{\mathrm{?}}\text{,}\text{n}\text{620]}\text{1}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{;}\text{p}\text{633]}\text{7}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{3}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ and $\text{n}\text{613]}\text{7}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{;}\text{p}\text{633]}\text{7}\text{2}\text{O}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ (with I = 1), respectively. The splitting energies between the parallel and antiparallel coupled states were calculated with a Gaussian potential for the residual neutron-proton interaction and were found to be in agreement with the experimental values. A precise measurement of the energies and intensities of γ-rays and K X-rays associated with the ^254mEs β^? decay was also made. The Fm K_α2 and K_α1 energies were found to be 115.280±0.015 and 121.065±0.015 keV, respectively.