Experimental investigation of vibrational excitations in230Th

Nuclear levels in²³⁰Th have been investigated in the decay of²³⁰Pa, the²³⁰Th(d, pn) reaction and the²³²Th(p, t) reaction. TheK =0 ₁ ⁺ , 2 ₁ ⁺ , and 2 ₂ ⁺ bands with band heads at 635, 781, and 1010 keV were observed up to the 8⁺, 9⁺, and 7⁺ levels, respectively. A second excited 0⁺ level was identified at 1297 keV which might be interpreted as the usual shape-oscillation. The branching ratios of theE2 transitions from the 0 ₁ ⁺ , 2 ₁ ⁺ , and 2 ₂ ⁺ bands are explained in the framework of the rotational model by taking into account the coupling of these bands with the ground-state band, and the coupling between the 0 ₁ ⁺ and 2 ₁ ⁺ band. A strong enhancement ofE2 transitions from the 2 ₁ ⁺ to the 0 ₁ ⁺ band reported earlier is not confirmed. For the octupole vibrations withK =0^–, 1^–, and 2^– theE1 branching ratios are analyzed in terms of the Coriolis coupling of these bands. An almost complete experimental set ofE1 transition moments from these negative-parity bands to the 0 _g ⁺ , 0 ₁ ⁺ , and 2 ₁ ⁺ bands was obtained. It is suggested that octupole correlations might be important in explaining theseE1 moments.We appreciate the help of Mr. Assmus with the proton irradiations and the financial support of the Kernforschungszentrum Karlsruhe GmbH. This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (grants Bo 1109/1-1, Gr 894/2-1, Gu 179/3-1 and He 1316/2-3) and by the Volkswagen Stiftung.