Search

The neutron-rich rare isotope 190W is discussed as a candidate for a prolate-oblate transitional nucleus with maximum γ-softness. The collectivity of this isotope is assessed for the first time by the measurement of the reduced E2 transition probability of its first 2+ state to the ground state. The experiment employed the FAst TIming Array (FATIMA), comprised of 36 LaBr3(Ce) scintillators, which was part of the DESPEC setup at GSI, Darmstadt. The 41+ and 21+ states of 190W were populated subsequently to the decay of its 127(12) μs isomeric Jπ=10− state. The mean lifetime of the 21+ state was determined to be τ=274(28) ps, which corresponds to a B(E2;21+→01+) value of 95(10) W.u. The results motivated a revision of previous calculations within an energy-density functional-based interacting boson model-2 approach, yielding E2 transition properties and spectroscopic quadrupole moments for tungsten isotopes. From comparison to theory, the new data suggest that 190W is at the transition from prolate to oblate structure along the W isotopic chain, which had previously been discussed as a nuclear shape-phase transition.

Reduced transition probabilities have been extracted between excited, yrast states in the N=Z+2 nucleus 94Pd. The transitions of interest were observed following decays of the Iπ=14+, Ex=2129-keV isomeric state, which was populated following the projectile fragmentation of a 124Xe primary beam at the GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung accelerator facility as part of FAIR Phase-0. Experimental information regarding the reduced E2 transition strengths for the decays of the yrast 8+ and 6+ states was determined following isomer-delayed Eγ1−Eγ2−△T2,1 coincidence method, using the LaBr3(Ce)-based FATIMA fast-timing coincidence gamma-ray array, which allowed direct determination of lifetimes of states in 94Pd using the Generalized Centroid Difference (GCD) method. The experimental value for the half-life of the yrast 8+ state of 755(106) ps results in a reduced transition probability of B(E2:8→+6+) = 205−25+34 e2fm4, which enables a precise verification of shell-model calculations for this unique system, lying directly between the N=Z line and the N=50 neutron shell closure. The determined B(E2) value provides an insight into the purity of (g9/2)n configurations in competition with admixtures from excitations between the (lower) N=3pf and (higher) N=4gds orbitals for the first time. The results indicate weak collectivity expected for near-zero quadrupole deformation and an increasing importance of the T=0 proton-neutron interaction at N=48.

The multinucleon transfer (MNT) reaction approach was successfully employed for the first time to measure the isomeric ratios (IRs) of 211Po isomer (25/2+) and its ground state (9/2+) at the IGISOL facility using a 945 MeV 136Xe beam impinged on 209Bi and natPb targets. The dominant production of isomers compared to the corresponding ground states was consistently revealed in the α-decay spectra. Deduced IR of 211Po populated through the 136Xe+natPb reaction was found to have an enhancement of ≈1.8-times than that observed for the 136Xe+209Bi. State-of-the-art Langevin-type model calculations have been utilized to estimate the spin distribution of an MNT residue. The computations qualitatively corroborate with the considerable increase in the IRs of 211Po produced from 136Xe+natPb compared to 136Xe+209Bi. Theoretical investigations indicate a weak dependence of target spin on the IRs. The enhancement of the 211Po isomer in the 136Xe+natPb over 136Xe+209Bi can be attributed to the different proton (p)-transfer production routes. Estimations demonstrate an increment in the angular momentum transfer, favorable for isomer production, with increasing projectile energy. Comparative analysis reveals the two entrance channel parameters, projectile mass and p-transfer channels, strongly influencing the population of the high-spin isomer of 211Po (25/2+). This letter reports the first experimental and theoretical study on the IRs of nuclei formed from two different p-transfer channels via two independent MNT reactions.

The magnetic dipole moments (μ) of 209Tlg (N=128) and 207Tlm (N=126) have been measured for the first time using the in-source laser resonance-ionization spectroscopy technique with the Laser Ion Source and Trap (LIST) at ISOLDE (CERN). The application of the LIST suppresses the usually overwhelming background of the isobaric francium isotopes and allows access to heavy thallium isotopes with A⩾207. The self-consistent theory of finite Fermi systems based on the energy density functional by Fayans et al. well describes the N dependence of μ for 1/2+ thallium ground states, as well as μ for the 11/2− isomeric states in europium, gold and thallium isotopes. The inclusion of particle-vibration coupling leads to a better agreement between the theory and experiment for μ(Tlg, Iπ=1/2+). It is shown that beyond mean-field contributions to μ cannot be neglected at least for thallium isotopes with Iπ=1/2+.

The first low-energy Coulomb-excitation measurement of the radioactive, semi-magic, two proton-hole nucleus 206Hg, was performed at CERN's recently-commissioned HIE-ISOLDE facility. Two γ rays depopulating low-lying states in 206Hg were observed. From the data, a reduced transition strength B(E2;21+→01+)=4.4(6) W.u. was determined, the first such value for an N=126 nucleus south of 208Pb, which is found to be slightly lower than that predicted by shell-model calculations. In addition, a collective octupole state was identified at an excitation energy of 2705 keV, for which a reduced B(E3) transition probability of 30−13+10 W.u. was extracted. These results are crucial for understanding both quadrupole and octupole collectivity in the vicinity of the heaviest doubly-magic nucleus 208Pb, and for benchmarking a number of theoretical approaches in this key region. This is of particular importance given the paucity of data on transition strengths in this region, which could be used, in principle, to test calculations relevant to the astrophysical r-process.

The nucleus 212Po has been produced through the fragmentation of a 238U primary beam at 1 GeV/nucleon at GSI, separated with the FRagment Separator, FRS, and studied via isomer γ-decay spectroscopy with the RISING setup. Two delayed previously unknown γ rays have been observed. One has been attributed to the E3 decay of a 21− isomeric state feeding the α-emitting 45-s (18+) high-spin isomer. The other γ-ray line has been assigned to the decay of a higher-lying 23+ metastable state. These are the first observations of high-spin states above the 212Po (18+) isomer, by virtue of the selectivity obtained via ion-by-ion identification of 238U fragmentation products. Comparison with shell-model calculations points to shortfalls in the nuclear interactions involving high-j proton and neutron orbitals, to which the region around Z∼100 is sensitive.

The change of the shell structure in atomic nuclei, so-called “nuclear shell evolution”, occurs due to changes of major configurations through particle-hole excitations inside one nucleus, as well as due to variation of the number of constituent protons or neutrons. We have investigated how the shell evolution affects Gamow-Teller (GT) transitions that dominate the β decay in the region below 132Sn using the newly obtained experimental data on a long-lived isomer in 127Ag. The T1/2=67.5(9) ms isomer has been identified with a spin and parity of (27/2+) at an excitation energy of 1942−20+14 keV, and found to decay via an internal transition of an E3 character, which competes with the dominant β-decay branches towards the high-spin states in 127Cd. The underlying mechanism of a strong GT transition from the 127Ag isomer is discussed in terms of configuration-dependent optimization of the effective single-particle energies in the framework of a shell-model approach.

In a high-energy fragmentation experiment at GSI an I=π(6+) isomer and its γ-decay are identified in 102Sn, the two-neutron neighbour of the doubly-magic 100Sn. Its half-life is measured to be T=1/2367(11) ns. The possible existence of further isomers is discussed in the framework of large-scale shell model (LSSM) calculations including up to five particle-hole excitations of the 100Sn core. From the precise B(E2; 6+→4+) strength and the recently remeasured value for B(E2; 8+→6+) in the two-proton hole neighbour 98Cd effective E2 polarization charges for protons and neutrons were inferred including LSSM corrections within the full N=4 0ħω space. The results are discussed in comparison to predicted and empirically determined effective operators.

Gamow-Teller β decay is forbidden if the number of nodes in the radial wave functions of the initial and final states is different. This Δn=0 requirement plays a major role in the β decay of heavy neutron-rich nuclei, affecting the nucleosynthesis through the increased half-lives of nuclei on the astrophysical r-process pathway below both Z=50 (for N>82) and Z=82 (for N>126). The level of forbiddenness of the Δn=1ν1g9/2→π0g7/2 transition has been investigated from the β− decay of the ground state of 207Hg into the single-proton-hole nucleus 207Tl in an experiment at the ISOLDE Decay Station. From statistical observational limits on possible γ-ray transitions depopulating the π0g7/2−1 state in 207Tl, an upper limit of 3.9×10−3% was obtained for the probability of this decay, corresponding to log⁡ft>8.8 within a 95% confidence limit. This is the most stringent test of the Δn=0 selection rule to date.

The neutron-rich isotopes of palladium have attracted considerable interest in terms of the evolution of the N=82 neutron shell closure and its influence on the r-process nucleosynthesis. In this Letter, we present the first spectroscopic information on the excited states in 125Pd79 and 127Pd81 studied using the EURICA γ-ray spectrometer, following production via in-flight fission of a high-intensity 238U beam at the RIBF facility. New isomeric states with half-lives of 144(4) ns and 39(6) μs have been assigned spins and parities of (23/2+) and (19/2+) in 125Pd and 127Pd, respectively. The observed level properties are compared to a shell-model calculation, suggesting the competition between proton excitations and neutron excitations in the proton-hole and neutron-hole systems in the vicinity of the doubly magic nucleus 132Sn.

The neutron-rich 213Pb isotope was produced in the fragmentation of a primary 1 GeV A 238U beam, separated in FRS in mass and atomic number, and then implanted for isomer decay γ-ray spectroscopy with the RISING setup at GSI. A newly observed isomer and its measured decay properties indicate that states in 213Pb are characterized by the seniority quantum number that counts the nucleons not in pairs coupled to angular momentum J=0. The conservation of seniority is a consequence of a geometric phase associated with particle-hole conjugation, which becomes observable in semi-magic nuclei where nucleons half-fill the valence shell. The γ-ray spectroscopic observables in 213Pb are thus found to be driven by two mechanisms, particle-hole conjugation and seniority conservation, which are intertwined through a Berry phase.

The γ-ray emission from the nuclei 62,64Fe following Coulomb excitation at bombarding energy of 400-440 AMeV was measured with special focus on E1 transitions in the energy region 4-8 MeV. The unstable neutron-rich nuclei 62,64Fe were produced at the FAIR-GSI laboratories and selected with the FRS spectrometer. The γ decay was detected with AGATA. From the measured γ-ray spectra the summed E1 strength is extracted and compared to microscopic quasi-particle phonon model calculations. The trend of the E1 strength with increasing neutron number is found to be fairly well reproduced with calculations that assume a rather complex structure of the 1− states (three-phonon states) inducing a strong fragmentation of the E1 nuclear response below the neutron binding energy.

Isomeric states in 128In and 130In have been studied with the JYFLTRAP Penning trap at the IGISOL facility. By employing state-of-the-art ion manipulation techniques, three different beta-decaying states in 128In and 130In have been separated and their masses measured. JYFLTRAP was also used to select the ions of interest for identification at a post-trap decay spectroscopy station. A new beta-decaying high-spin isomer feeding the 15− isomer in 128Sn has been discovered in 128In at 1797.6(20) keV. Shell-model calculations employing a CD-Bonn potential re-normalized with the perturbative G-matrix approach suggest this new isomer to be a 16+ spin-trap isomer. In 130In, the lowest-lying (10−) isomeric state at 58.6(82) keV was resolved for the first time using the phase-imaging ion cyclotron resonance technique. The energy difference between the 10− and 1− states in 130In, stemming from parallel/antiparallel coupling of (π0g9/2−1)⊗(ν0h11/2−1), has been found to be around 200 keV lower than predicted by the shell model. Precise information on the energies of the excited states determined in this work is crucial for producing new improved effective interactions for the nuclear shell model description of nuclei near 132Sn.

The low-lying structures of the midshell νg9/2 Ni isotopes 72Ni and 74Ni have been investigated at the RIBF facility in RIKEN within the EURICA collaboration. Previously unobserved low-lying states were accessed for the first time following β decay of the mother nuclei 72Co and 74Co. As a result, we provide a complete picture in terms of the seniority scheme up to the first (8+) levels for both nuclei. The experimental results are compared to shell-model calculations in order to define to what extent the seniority quantum number is preserved in the first neutron g9/2 shell. We find that the disappearance of the seniority isomerism in the (81+) states can be explained by a lowering of the seniority-four (6+) levels as predicted years ago. For 74Ni, the internal de-excitation pattern of the newly observed (62+) state supports a restoration of the normal seniority ordering up to spin J=4. This property, unexplained by the shell-model calculations, is in agreement with a dominance of the single-particle spherical regime near 78Ni.

We report on the measurement of new low-lying states in the neutron-rich 81,82,83,84Zn nuclei via in-beam γ-ray spectroscopy. These include the 41+→21+ transition in 82Zn, the 21+→0g.s.+ and 41+→21+ transitions in 84Zn, and low-lying states in 81,83Zn were observed for the first time. The reduced E(21+) energies and increased E(41+)/E(2+1) ratios at N=52, 54 compared to those in 80Zn attest that the magicity is confined to the neutron number N=50 only. The deduced level schemes are compared to three state-of-the-art shell model calculations and a good agreement is observed with all three calculations. The newly observed 2+ and 4+ levels in 84Zn suggest the onset of deformation towards heavier Zn isotopes, which has been incorporated by taking into account the upper sdg orbitals in the Ni78-II and the PFSDG-U models.

A new high-spin isomer in the neutron-rich nucleus 128Cd was populated in the projectile fission of a 238U beam at the Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory at RIKEN. A half-life of T1/2=6.3(8) ms was measured for the new state which was tentatively assigned a spin/parity of (15−). The experimental results are compared to shell model calculations performed using state-of-the-art realistic effective interactions and to the neighbouring nucleus 129Cd. In the present experiment no evidence was found for the decay of a 18+ E6 spin-trap isomer, based on the complete alignment of the two-neutron and two-proton holes in the 0h11/2 and the 0g9/2 orbit, respectively, which is predicted to exist by the shell model.

We report on the first measurement of the half-lives of Kπ=11− and 12+ four-quasiparticle states in the even-even nucleus 178W. The sub-nanosecond half-lives were measured by applying the centroid shift method to data taken with LaBr3(Ce) scintillator detectors of the NuBall array at the ALTO facility in Orsay, France. The half-lives of these states only became experimentally accessible by the combination of several experimental techniques - scintillator fast timing, isomer spectroscopy with a pulsed beam, and the event-by-event calorimetry information provided by the NuBall array. The measured half-lives are 476(44)ps and 275(65)ps for the Iπ=11− and 12+ states, respectively. The decay transitions include weakly hindered E1 and E2 branches directly to the ground-state band, bypassing the two-quasiparticle states. This is the first such observation for an E1 transition. The interpretation of the small hindrance hinges on mixing between the ground-state band and the t-band.

The neutron-rich dysprosium isotopes 168Dy102 and 169Dy103 have been investigated using the EURICA γ-ray spectrometer, following production via in-flight fission of a high-intensity uranium beam in conjunction with isotope separation through the BigRIPS separator at RIBF in RIKEN Nishina Center. For 168Dy, a previously unreported isomer with a half-life of 0.57(7) μs has been identified at an excitation energy of 1378 keV, and its presence affirmed independently using γ-γ-γ coincidence data taken with Gammasphere via two-proton transfer from an enriched 170Er target performed at Argonne National Laboratory. This isomer is assigned Jπ=Kπ=(4−) based on the measured transition strengths, decay patterns, and the energy systematics for two-quasiparticle states in N=102 isotones. The underlying mechanism of two-quasiparticle excitations in the doubly midshell region is discussed in comparison with the deformed QRPA and multi-quasiparticle calculations. In 169Dy, the B(E2) value for the transition de-exciting the previously unreported Kπ=(1/2−) isomeric state at 166 keV to the Kπ=(5/2−) ground state is approximately two orders of magnitude larger than the E2 strength for the corresponding isomeric-decay transition in the N=103 isotone 173Yb, suggesting the presence of a significant γ-vibrational admixture with a dominant neutron one-quasiparticle component in the isomeric state.

A lifetime measurement of the 19/2− state in 207Pb has been performed using the Recoil Distance Doppler-Shift (RDDS) method. The nuclei of interest were produced in multi-nucleon transfer reactions induced by a 208Pb beam impinging on a 100Mo enriched target. The beam-like nuclei were detected and identified in terms of their atomic mass number in the VAMOS++ spectrometer while the prompt γ rays were detected by the AGATA tracking array. The measured large reduced transition probability B(E3,19/2−→13/2+)=40(8) W.u. is the first indication of the octupole phonon at high spin in 207Pb. An analysis in terms of a particle-octupole-vibration coupling model indicates that the measured B(E3) value in 207Pb is compatible with the contributions from single-phonon and single particle E3 as well as E3 strength arising from the double-octupole-phonon 6+ state, all adding coherently. A crucial aspect of the coupling model, namely the strong mixing between single-hole and the phonon-hole states, is confirmed in a realistic shell-model calculation. Keywords: AGATA spectrometer, γ-Ray tracking, VAMOS++ spectrometer, Plunger device, Nuclear deformation, Octupole phonon

A detailed study of the structure of the doubly mid-shell nucleus Dy104166170 has been carried out, following isomeric and β decay. We have measured the yrast band up to the spin-parity Jπ=6+ state, the K=2 γ-vibration band up to the 5+ state, a low-lying negative-parity band based on a 2− state that could be a candidate for the lowest energy octupole vibration state within this nucleus, and a candidate for the Kπ=6+ two quasi-particle isomer. This state was determined to have an excitation energy of 1643.91(23) keV and a half life of 0.99(4) μs, with a reduced hindrance for its decay to the ground-state band an order of magnitude lower than predicted by NpNn systematics. This is interpreted as being due to γ-vibrational mixing from a near degeneracy of the isomer and the 6+ state of the γ band. Furthermore, the parent nucleus 170Tb has been determined to have a half-life of 0.91(−13+18) s with a possible spin-parity of 2−. Keywords: K isomer, Dysprosium, Mid-shell, γ-Ray spectroscopy

Excited states in neutron-rich nuclei located south-east of 132Sn are investigated by shell-model calculations. A new shell-model Hamiltonian is constructed for the present study. The proton–proton and neutron–neutron interactions of the Hamiltonian are obtained through the existing CD-Bonn G matrix results, while the proton–neutron interaction across two major shells is derived from the monopole based universal interaction plus the M3Y spin–orbit force. The present Hamiltonian can reproduce well the experimental data available in this region, including one-neutron separation energies, level energies and the experimental B(E2) values of isomers in 134,136,138Sn, 130Cd, and 128Pd. New isomers are predicted in this region, e.g. in 135Sn, 131Cd, 129Pd, 132,134In and 130Ag, in which almost no excited states are known experimentally yet. In the odd–odd 132,134In and 130Ag, the predicted very long E2 life-times of the low-lying 5− states are discussed, demanding more information on the related proton–neutron interaction. The low-lying states of 132In are discussed in connection with the recently observed γ rays. The predicted 19/2− isomer in 129Pd could decay by both electromagnetic transitions and neutron emission with comparable partial life-times, making it a good candidate for neutron radioactivity, a decay mode which is yet to be discovered.

The level structure of 172Dy has been investigated for the first time by means of decay spectroscopy following in-flight fission of a 238U beam. A long-lived isomeric state with T1/2=0.71(5) s and Kπ=8− has been identified at 1278 keV, which decays to the ground-state and γ-vibrational bands through hindered electromagnetic transitions, as well as to the daughter nucleus 172Ho via allowed β decays. The robust nature of the Kπ=8− isomer and the ground-state rotational band reveals an axially-symmetric structure for this nucleus. Meanwhile, the γ-vibrational levels have been identified at unusually low excitation energy compared to the neighboring well-deformed nuclei, indicating the significance of the microscopic effect on the non-axial collectivity in this doubly mid-shell region. The underlying mechanism of enhanced γ vibration is discussed in comparison with the deformed Quasiparticle Random-Phase Approximation based on a Skyrme energy-density functional.

The γ-ray decay of excited states of the one-valence-proton nucleus 133Sb has been studied using cold-neutron induced fission of 235U and 241Pu targets, during the EXILL campaign at the ILL reactor in Grenoble. By using a highly efficient HPGe array, coincidences between γ-rays prompt with the fission event and those delayed up to several tens of microseconds were investigated, allowing to observe, for the first time, high-spin excited states above the 16.6 μs isomer. Lifetimes analysis, performed by fast-timing techniques with LaBr3(Ce) scintillators, revealed a difference of almost two orders of magnitude in B(M1) strength for transitions between positive-parity medium-spin yrast states. The data are interpreted by a newly developed microscopic model which takes into account couplings between core excitations (both collective and non-collective) of the doubly magic nucleus 132Sn and the valence proton, using the Skyrme effective interaction in a consistent way. The results point to a fast change in the nature of particle-core excitations with increasing spin.

The decay of a new four-quasiparticle isomeric state in 160Sm has been observed using γ-ray spectroscopy at the RIBF, RIKEN. The four-quasiparticle state is assigned a 2π⊗2ν π52−[532], π52+[413], ν52−[523], ν72+[633] configuration. The half-life of this (11+) state is measured to be 1.8(4) μs. The (11+) isomer decays into a rotational band structure, based on a (6−) ν52−[523]⊗ν72+[633] bandhead, consistent with the gK−gR values. This decays to a (5−) two-proton quasiparticle state, which in turn decays to the ground state band. Potential energy surface and blocked-BCS calculations were performed in the deformed midshell region around 160Sm. They reveal a significant influence from β6 deformation and that 160Sm is the best candidate for the lightest four-quasiparticle K isomer to exist in this region. The relationship between reduced hindrance and isomer excitation energy for E1 transitions from multiquasiparticle states is considered with the new data from 160Sm. The E1 data are found to agree with the existing relationship for E2 transitions.

The first fast-timing measurements from nuclides produced via the in-flight fission mechanism are reported. The lifetimes of the first 2+ states in 104,106Zr nuclei have been measured via β-delayed γ-ray timing of stopped radioactive isotope beams. An improved precision for the lifetime of the 21+ state in 104Zr was obtained, τ(21+)=2.90−20+25 ns, as well as a first measurement of the 21+ state in 106Zr, τ(21+)=2.60−15+20 ns, with corresponding reduced transition probabilities of B(E2;21+→0g.s.+)=0.39(2) e2b2 and 0.31(1) e2b2, respectively. Comparisons of the extracted ground-state deformations, β2=0.39(1) (104Zr) and β2=0.36(1) (106Zr) with model calculations indicate a persistence of prolate deformation. The data show that 104Zr is the most deformed of the neutron-rich Zr isotopes measured so far.

The single closed-neutron-shell, one proton–hole nucleus 207Tl was populated in deep-inelastic collisions of a 208Pb beam with a 208Pb target. The yrast and near-yrast level scheme has been established up to high excitation energy, comprising an octupole phonon state and a large number of core excited states. Based on shell-model calculations, all observed single core excitations were established to arise from the breaking of the N=126 neutron core. While the shell-model calculations correctly predict the ordering of these states, their energies are compressed at high spins. It is concluded that this compression is an intrinsic feature of shell-model calculations using two-body matrix elements developed for the description of two-body states, and that multiple core excitations need to be considered in order to accurately calculate the energy spacings of the predominantly three-quasiparticle states.

The decay of an isomeric state in the neutron-rich nucleus 129Cd has been observed via the detection of internal conversion and Compton electrons providing first experimental information on excited states in this nucleus. The isomer was populated in the projectile fission of a 238U beam at the Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory at RIKEN. From the measured yields of γ-rays and internal conversion electrons, a multipolarity of E3 was tentatively assigned to the isomeric transition. A half-life of T1/2=3.6(2) ms was determined for the new state which was assigned a spin of (21/2+), based on a comparison to shell model calculations performed using state-of-the-art realistic effective interactions. Keywords: Isomeric decays, Transition strengths, Shell model calculations

The properties of K isomers are reviewed. Energies and decay hindrance factors are considered in detail for selected isomers in the A ≈ 160–190 region, focusing on pairing effects and the key K-mixing mechanisms that influence γ -ray decay rates. The β -decay of K isomers is studied, indicating that, far from the valley of β stability, high-K β -decaying isomers will populate high-K states in the daughter nuclei. The challenges of revealing predicted, but as-yet undiscovered, long-lived isomers in the neutron-rich N ≈ 116 prolate–oblate shape transition region are highlighted, and the occurrence of oblate high-K isomers is discussed. The 2015 multi-quasiparticle K-isomer table of Kondev, Dracoulis, and Kibédi is updated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isomeric states in isotopes in the vicinity of doubly-magic 208Pb were populated following reactions of a relativistic 208Pb primary beam impinging on a 9Be fragmentation target. Secondary beams of 198,200,202,206Pb and 206Hg were isotopically separated and implanted in a passive stopper positioned in the focal plane of the GSI Fragment Separator. Delayed γ rays were detected with the Advanced Gamma Tracking Array (AGATA). Decay schemes were re-evaluated and interpreted with shell-model calculations. The momentum-dependent population of isomeric states in the two-nucleon hole nuclei 206Pb/206Hg was found to differ from the population of multi neutron-hole isomeric states in 198,200,202Pb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper highlights the strong need for precise nuclear structure and decay data measurements in order to perform high-quality modelling on nuclear reactors and other applications. The context of nuclear data evaluation, as well as the importance of low uncertainty evaluations, will be first presented. The importance of such data for interpreting nuclear data experimental measurements is stressed throughout. To demonstrate this, we will explain how mass and charge-dependent fission yields, decay data (in particular for the purpose of residual heat calculations), and inelastic neutrons scattering cross section rely on nuclear structure and decay information and how new and higher quality in such data can lead to improved accuracy in the precision of evaluated nuclear data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We discuss the reconstruction of low-energy nuclear reaction kinematics from charged-particle tracks in solenoidal spectrometers working in Active Target Time Projection Chamber mode. In this operation mode, reaction products are tracked within the active gas medium of the Active Target with a three dimensional space point cloud. We have inferred the reaction kinematics from the point cloud using an algorithm based on a linear quadratic estimator (Kalman filter). The performance of this algorithm has been evaluated using experimental data from nuclear reactions measured with the Active Target Time Projection Chamber (AT-TPC) detector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The β decay of the N = 127 isotone 206Au has been investigated at the Gesellschaft für Schwerionenforschung laboratory within the rare isotope investigations at GSI Collaboration. From the experimental data, both its half-life and the level structure of the N = 126 daughter nucleus 206Hg have been extracted. On the basis of the new results, the systematics of Au β-decay half-lives beyond the N = 126 shell closure is discussed. In addition, the interplay between allowed Gamow-Teller and first-forbidden transitions in the N > 126, Z < 82 mass region is reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isomeric states were observed in nuclei produced in an experiment at the RIKEN Nishina Center Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory following the in-flight fission of a 345 MeV/nucleon 238 U beam. Isomers reported in nuclei spanning a predicted prolate-oblate shape change boundary, 111 Zr ( E = 283.1 keV; τ = 0.326 (63) μ s), 112 Nb ( E = 44.2 keV; τ = 0.094 (26) μ s), 113 Nb ( E = 135.4 keV; τ = 0.846 (80) μ s), and 115 Mo ( E = 198.6 keV; τ = 63 (4) μ s), are compared to potential-energy surface calculations which gave a selection of low-lying configurations for each nucleus. Tentative assignments of ground and excited states were made based on energy similarities to the calculations, reduced transition probabilities of the decays, and constraints of transition multipolarities from γ -ray coincidence measurements. These assignments are suggestive of significant deformation being persistent for N > 70 in this region. In addition, isomers in 108 Nb, 109 Nb, 113 Tc, 117 Ru, 119 Ru, 120 Rh, and 122 Rh, not spanning the prolate-oblate transition discussed, are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design study of the AGATA array began with the development of the AGATA simulation code using GEANT4. The latter played a key part in the final design of the array and provided a cost effective solution for the early development of the tracking algorithm. The code has since been maintained and developed by the collaboration to provide more realistic simulations, with reaction chambers, ancillary detectors and surrounding mechanical structures completing the entire setup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effort has been expended to assess the relative merits of undertaking further decay-data measurements of the main fission-product contributors to the decay heat of neutron-irradiated fissionable fuel and related actinides by means of Total Absorption Gamma-ray Spectroscopy (TAGS - sometimes abbreviated to TAS) and Discrete Gamma-ray Spectroscopy (DGS). This review has been carried out following similar work performed under the auspices of OECD/WPEC-Subgroup 25 (2005–2007) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (2009, 2014), and various highly relevant TAGS measurements completed as a consequence of such assessments. We present our recommendations for new decay-data evaluations, along with possible requirements for total absorption and discrete high-resolution gamma-ray spectroscopy studies that cover approximately 120 fission products and various isomeric states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

UK NuSTAR is the largest Nuclear Physics project, presently funded by the UK Science and Technology Facilities Council. The project aims at construction and delivery of equipment for the R3B, HISPEC, and DESPEC experiments at FAIR. In this contribution, the status of the UK DESPEC work package and related activities will be presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structure of 180Hf (Z = 72) is of particular interest, as the nucleus features a rotational ground state band, but also several other collective bands, K-isomers, and non-band members, which are generally poorly known. This work features preliminary results from a recent experimental campaign at IFIN-HH, Romania, aimed at measuring lifetimes of excited states in the neutron-rich 180Hf, by means of the RDDS technique. The 181Ta(11B;12 C)180Hf proton pick-up reaction was used to populate excited states in the 180Hf nucleus. The transitions depopulating these levels were detected using the ROSPHERE array, in its 25 HPGe configuration. The array was coupled to the SORCERER particle detector and a plunger device enabling the study of p-γ and p-γ-γ coincident events. Six plunger distances were chosen, allowing for the construction of the decay curves of the observed γ transitions, from which the lifetimes of the levels of interest can subsequently be deduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New physics opportunities are opening up by the Advanced Gamma Tracking Array, AGATA, as it evolves to the full 4 π instrument. AGATA is a high-resolution γ -ray spectrometer, solely built from highly segmented high-purity Ge detectors, capable of measuring γ rays from a few tens of keV to beyond 10 MeV, with unprecedented efficiency, excellent position resolution for individual γ -ray interactions, and very high count-rate capability. As a travelling detector AGATA will be employed at all major current and near-future European research facilities delivering stable and radioactive ion beams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A first performance test of the Coulomb excitation multipolarimetry (Coulex-multipolarimetry) method is presented. It is based on a 85 Br π p 3 / 2 → π p 1 / 2 spin-flip experiment performed as part of the PreSPEC-AGATA campaign at the GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung (GSI). Via determination of background levels around the expected 85 Br excitations as well as measured 197 Au excitations, an upper limit for the M1 transition strength of the 1 / 2 1 - → 3 / 2 g.s. - transition in 85 Br and a lower beam time limit for upcoming experimental campaigns utilizing Coulex-multipolarimetry have been inferred. The impact of the use of AGATA in its anticipated 1 π configuration on these estimates is deduced via Geant4 simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deformation-energy surfaces of 54 even-even isotopes of Pt, Hg and Pb nuclei with neutron numbers up to 126 are investigated within a macroscopic-microscopic model based on the Lublin-Strasbourg-Drop macroscopic energy and shell plus pairing-energy corrections obtained from a Yukawa-folded mean-field potential at the desired deformation. A new, rapidly converging Fourier shape parametrization is used to describe nuclear shapes. The stability of shape isomeric states with respect to non-axial and higher-order deformations is investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NUSTAR is a collaboration of more than 800 scientists from 180 institutes in 38 countries who will perform key measurements to investigate the structure, decay properties, and reactions of nuclei leading to an understanding of the origin of the elements in the universe. NUSTAR is organized in nine sub-collaborations that will undertake competing and complementary measurements of important observables. In alphabetical order, the nine sub-collaborations are: ELISe ELectron-Ion scattering in a Storage ring (eA collider) EXL EXotic nuclei studied in Light-ion induced reactions in a storage ring HISPEC/DESPEC High-resolution In-flight SPECtroscopy/DEcay SPECtroscopy ILIMA Isomeric beams, LIfetimes and MAsses LaSpec Laser Spectroscopy MATS Precision Measurements on very short-lived nuclei using an Advanced Trapping System R3B Reactions with Relativistic Radioactive Beams Super-FRS Experiment High resolution spectrometer experiments SHE Synthesis and study of Super-Heavy Elements [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well known that high-K isomers have strongly hindered electromagnetic decay rates. However, the situation is more subtle in shape-transition regions, where there are competing high-spin isomers associated with shape changes. Nevertheless, a previous analysis of E2 decay rates from isomers in N ≈ 76 (A ≈ 130) nuclides enabled a degree of separation to be made between high-K prolate states and low-K oblate states. The analysis exploited the dependence of E2 reduced hindrance factors, fv, on the product of the valence nucleon numbers, NpNn. The present work investigates the application of these ideas to data for neutron-rich Z ≈ 76 (A ≈ 180) nuclides. Despite few such isomer data being available, it is found that the reduced hindrance factors can be used to help in distinguishing between three different E2-transition types. In particular, the decays from high-K prolate isomers to the ground-state band are more hindered than the corresponding decays from low-K oblate isomers. Other decays from low-K oblate isomers have collective E2 transition rates. These features may be helpful in future studies of nuclides in the neutron-rich Z ≈ 76 region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present information on the excited states in the prolate-deformed, neutron-rich nuclei 165;167Tb100;102. The nuclei of interest were synthesised following in-flight fission of a 345 MeV per nucleon 238U primary beam on a 2 mm 9Be target at the Radioactive Ion-Beam Factory (RIBF), RIKEN, Japan. The exotic nuclei were separated and identified event-by-event using the BigRIPS separator, with discrete energy gamma-ray decays from isomeric states with half-lives in the Vs regime measured using the EURICA gamma-ray spectrometer. Metastable-state decays are identified in 165Tb and 167Tb and interpreted as arising from hindered E1 decay from the 7-/2[523] single quasi-proton Nilsson configuration to rotational states built on the 3-/2[411] single quasi-proton ground state. These data correspond to the first spectroscopic information in the heaviest, odd-A terbium isotopes reported to date and provide information on proton Nilsson configurations which reside close to the Fermi surface as the 170Dy doubly-midshell nucleus is approached. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The UK NuStAR project is the largest nuclear physics project presently funded by the Science Technology Facilities Council (STFC) in UK. The aim of the project is to design, construct and deliver detectors and subdetector systems for FAIR. The main project deliverables are a DESPEC multidetector array for fast timing measurements, a HISPEC ToF detector for mass measurements after the secondary target, and the Si tracker for precise vertex determination in R3B experiments with liquid hydrogen target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Explaining observed properties in terms of underlying shape degrees of freedom is a well-established prism with which to understand atomic nuclei. Self-consistent mean-field models provide one tool to understand nuclear shapes, and their link to other nuclear properties and observables. We present examples of how the time-dependent extension of the mean-field approach can be used in particular to shed light on nuclear shape properties, particularly looking at the giant resonances built on deformed nuclear ground states, and at dynamics in highly-deformed fission isomers. Example calculations are shown of 28Si in the first case, and 240Pu in the latter case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The half-lives of 2+1 states were measured for 102,104Zr and 106,108Mo to test a new implementation of a LaBr3(Ce) array at the RIBF, RIKEN, Japan. The nuclei of interest were produced through the fission of a 345 MeV/nucleon 238U beam and selected by the BigRIPS separator. Fission fragments were implanted into the WAS3ABi active stopper, surrounding which, 18 LaBr3(Ce) detectors provided fast γ-ray detection. Timing between the LaBr3(Ce) array and plastic scintillators allowed for the measurement of half-lives of low-lying states. The preliminary results, which agree with literature values, are presented along with experimental details. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The yrast structure of 207Pb above the 13/2+ isomeric state has been investigated in deep-inelastic collisions of 208Pb and 208Pb at ATLAS, Argonne National Laboratory. New and previously observed transitions were measured using the Gammasphere detector array. The level scheme of 207Pb is presented up to ~ 6 MeV, built using coincidence and γ-ray intensity analyses. Spin and parity assignments of states were made, based on angular distributions and comparisons to shell model calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to investigate the shape evolution in the neutron-rich osmium isotopes, the first in-beam γ-ray spectroscopic measurement of 196Os was performed at the Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro, Italy. 196Os was populated in the two-proton-transfer channel 198Pt(82Se, 84Kr)196Os with a beam energy of 426 MeV. The beam-like recoils were detected in the largeacceptance magnetic spectrometer PRISMA and the coincident γ rays were measured by the AGATA demonstrator. The de-excitation of the two lowest-lying yrast states was observed for the first time and a candidate for the 6+1-level was found. The comparison with state-of-the-art beyond mean-field calculations reveal the γ-soft character of 196Os. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

206Hg was populated in the fragmentation of an E=A = 1 GeV 208Pb beam at GSI. It was part of a campaign to study nuclei around 208Pb via relativistic Coulomb excitation. The observation of the known isomeric states confirmed the identification of the fragmentation products. The isomeric decays were also used to prove that the correlations between beam identification detectors and the AGATA γ-ray tracking array worked properly and that the tracking efficiency was independent of the time relative to the prompt flash. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]