High-spin states in38Ar

Theγ-decay of 93³⁸Ar levels between 6.84 and 10 MeV excitation energy has been measured using the³⁵Cl(α,pγ) reaction atE _α=14 MeV. A previous measurement of the same reaction could be exploited in the light of the present results, yielding spin(-parity) assignmentsJ ^π(7,070)=5^-, J(7,507)=7,5,J ^π(8,077)=7⁺, J(8,129)=5,6 and J(8,488)=7,5. Theγ-decay modes of yrast levels, which have been previously observed in heavy ion induced reactions, are revised leading to major changes in their spin-parity assignments. New candidates for theJ ^π=8^- and 9⁺ levels were found in the levels at 9,644 and 9,928 keV excitation energy, respectively. A comparison of yrast levels with shell-model calculations is satisfying.