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Nuclear level densities (NLDs) and $\gamma$-ray strength functions ($\gamma$SFs) have been extracted from particle-$\gamma$ coincidences of the $^{92}$Zr($p,p' \gamma$)$^{92}$Zr and $^{92}$Zr($p,d \gamma$)$^{91}$Zr reactions using the Oslo method. The new $^{91,92}$Zr $\gamma$SF data, combined with photonuclear cross sections, cover the whole energy range from $E_{\gamma} \approx 1.5$~MeV up to the giant dipole resonance at $E_{\gamma} \approx 17$~MeV. The wide-range $\gamma$SF data display structures at $E_{\gamma} \approx 9.5$~MeV, compatible with a superposition of the spin-flip $M1$ resonance and a pygmy $E1$ resonance. Furthermore, the $\gamma$SF shows a minimum at $E_{\gamma} \approx 2-3$~MeV and an increase at lower $\gamma$-ray energies. The experimentally constrained NLDs and $\gamma$SFs are shown to reproduce known ($n, \gamma$) and Maxwellian-averaged cross sections for $^{91,92}$Zr using the {\sf TALYS} reaction code, thus serving as a benchmark for this indirect method of estimating ($n, \gamma$) cross sections for Zr isotopes., Comment: 10 pages and 9 figures

The nuclear level density and the gamma-ray strength function have been determined for 43Sc in the energy range up to 2 MeV below the neutron separation energy using the Oslo method with the 46Ti(p,alpha)43Sc reaction. A comparison to 45Sc shows that the level density of 43Sc is smaller by an approximately constant factor of two. This behaviour is well reproduced in a microscopical/combinatorial model calculation. The gamma-ray strength function is showing an increase at low gamma-ray energies, a feature which has been observed in several nuclei but which still awaits theoretical explanation., 5 pages, 4 figures

Primary gamma-ray spectra for a wide excitation-energy range have been extracted for 44Ti from particle-gamma coincidence data of the 46Ti(p,t gamma)44Ti reaction. These spectra reveal information on the gamma-decay pattern of the nucleus, and may be used to extract the level density and radiative strength function applying the Oslo method. Models of the level density and radiative strength function are used as input for cross-section calculations of the 40Ca(alpha,gamma)44Ti reaction. Acceptable models should reproduce data on the 40Ca(alpha,gamma)44Ti reaction cross section as well as the measured primary gamma-ray spectra. This is only achieved when a coherent normalization of the slope of the level density and radiative strength function is performed. Thus, the overall shape of the experimental primary gamma-ray spectra puts a constraint on the input models for the rate calculations., Comment: 14 pages, 13 figures

The nuclei 163,164Dy have been investigated using the Oslo method on data from the pick-up reaction 164Dy(3He,alpha gamma)163Dy and the inelastic scattering 164Dy(3He,3He' gamma)164Dy, respectively. The radiative strength functions for both nuclei have been extracted, and a small resonance centered around Eg ?3 MeV is observed in both cases. The parameters of this so-called pygmy M1 resonance (the scissors mode) are compared to previous results on 160,161,162Dy using the Oslo method, and to data on 163Dy measured by the Prague group using the two-step cascade method. In particular, the integrated reduced transition probability B(M1) of the pygmy resonance is compared with neighboring dysprosium isotopes. We also observe an enhanced strength in the region above gamma energy around 5 MeV in 164Dy. Possible origins of this feature are discussed.

Particle-gamma coincidences from the 46Ti(p,p' gamma)46Ti inelastic scattering reaction with 15-MeV protons are utilized to obtain gamma-ray spectra as a function of excitation energy. The rich data set allows analyzing the coincidence data with various gates on excitation energy. This enables, for many independent data sets, a simultaneous extraction of level density and radiative strength function (RSF). The results are consistent with one common level density. The data seem to exhibit a universal RSF as the deduced RSFs from different excitation energies show only small fluctuations provided that only excitation energies above 3 MeV are taken into account. If transitions to well-separated low-energy levels are included, the deduced RSF may change by a factor of 2-3, which might be expected due to the involved Porter-Thomas fluctuations., Comment: 11 pages and 12 figures

The nuclear level densities of $^{118,119}$Sn and the $��$-ray strength functions of $^{116,118,119}$Sn below the neutron separation energy are extracted with the Oslo method using the ($^3$He, \,$����$) and ($^3$He,$^3$He$^\prime��$) reactions. The level density function of $^{119}$Sn displays step-like structures. The microcanonical entropies are deduced from the level densities, and the single neutron entropy of $^{119}$Sn is determined to be $(1.7 \pm 0.2)\,k_B$. Results from a combinatorial model support the interpretation that some of the low-energy steps in the level density function are caused by neutron pair-breaking. An enhancement in all the $��$-ray strength functions of $^{116-119}$Sn, compared to standard models for radiative strength, is observed for the $��$-ray energy region of $\simeq (4 -11)$ MeV. These small resonances all have a centroid energy of 8.0(1) MeV and an integrated strength corresponding to $1.7(9)\%$ of the classical Thomas-Reiche-Kuhn sum rule. The Sn resonances may be due to electric dipole neutron skin oscillations or to an enhancement of the giant magnetic dipole resonance.

The level densities and gamma-ray strength functions of 205-208Pb have been measured with the Oslo method, utilizing the (3He, 3He' gamma) and (3He,alpha gamma) reactions on the target nuclei 206Pb and 208Pb. The extracted level densities are consistent with known discrete levels at low excitation energies. The entropies and temperatures in the micro-canonical ensemble have been deduced from the experimental level density. An average entropy difference of Delta S ~ 1.8 k_B has been observed between 205Pb and 206Pb. The gamma-ray strength functions in 205-208Pb are extracted and compared with two models; however, none of them describe the data adequately. Intermediate structures have been observed at lower gamma-ray energies in all the analyzed Pb nuclei. These structures are less pronounced while moving from the doubly-magic nucleus 208Pb to 205Pb.

The level densities and gamma-ray strength functions of 205-208Pb have been measured with the Oslo method, utilizing the (3He, 3He' gamma) and (3He,alpha gamma) reactions on the target nuclei 206Pb and 208Pb. The extracted level densities are consistent with known discrete levels at low excitation energies. The entropies and temperatures in the micro-canonical ensemble have been deduced from the experimental level density. An average entropy difference of Delta S ~ 1.8 k_B has been observed between 205Pb and 206Pb. The gamma-ray strength functions in 205-208Pb are extracted and compared with two models; however, none of them describe the data adequately. Intermediate structures have been observed at lower gamma-ray energies in all the analyzed Pb nuclei. These structures are less pronounced while moving from the doubly-magic nucleus 208Pb to 205Pb.

The scandium isotopes 44,45Sc have been studied with the 45Sc(3He,alpha gamma)44Sc and 45Sc(3He,3He' gamma)45Sc reactions, respectively. The nuclear level densities and gamma-ray strength functions have been extracted using the Oslo method. The experimental level densities are compared to calculated level densities obtained from a microscopic model based on BCS quasiparticles within the Nilsson level scheme. This model also gives information about the parity distribution and the number of broken Cooper pairs as a function of excitation energy. The experimental gamma-ray strength functions are compared to theoretical models of the E1, M1, and E2 strength, and to data from (gamma,n) and (gamma,p) experiments. The strength functions show an enhancement at low gamma energies that cannot be explained by the present, standard models., 21 pages, 13 figures. Published version

The level densities and radiative strength functions (RSFs) of $^{50,51}$V have been extracted using the ($^3$He,$\alpha \gamma$) and ($^3$He,$^3$He$^{\prime} \gamma$) reactions, respectively. From the level densities, microcanonical entropies are deduced. The high $\gamma$-energy part of the RSF is described by the giant electric dipole resonance. A significant enhancement over the predicted strength in the region of $E_{\gamma} \lesssim 3$ MeV is seen, which at present has no theoretical explanation., Comment: 16 pages including 9 figures