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The level structure of Er158 has been studied using the Gammasphere spectrometer via the Cd114(Ca48,4n) reaction at 215 MeV with both thin (self-supporting) and thick (backed) targets. The level scheme has been considerably extended with more than 200 new transitions and six new rotational structures, including two strongly coupled high-K bands. Configuration assignments for the new structures are based on their observed alignments, B(M1)/B(E2) ratios of reduced transition probabilities, excitation energies, and comparisons with neighboring nuclei and theoretical calculations. With increasing angular momentum, this nucleus exhibits Coriolis-induced alignments of both neutrons and protons before it then undergoes a rotation-induced transition from near-prolate collective rotation to a noncollective oblate configuration. This transition occurs via the mechanism of band termination around spin 45ħ in three rotational structures. Two distinct lifetime branches, consistent with the crossing of a collective "fast"rotational structure by an energetically favored "slow"terminating sequence, are confirmed for the positive-parity states, and similar behavior is established in the negative-parity states. Weak-intensity, high-energy transitions are observed to feed into the terminating states. At the highest spins, three collective bands with high dynamic moments of inertia and large quadrupole moments were identified. These bands are interpreted as triaxial strongly deformed structures and mark a return to collectivity at ultrahigh spin.

The Be9(BeF25(5/2+),BeO24)X proton-removal reaction was studied at the NSCL using the S800 spectrometer. The experimental spectroscopic factor for the ground-state to ground-state transition indicates a substantial depletion of the proton d5/2 strength compared to shell-model expectations, similar to the findings of an inverse-kinematics (p,2p) measurement performed at RIBF. The BeF25 to BeO24 ground-states overlap is considerably less than anticipated if the core nucleons behaved as rigid, doubly-magic BeO24 within BeF25. We interpret the new results within the framework of the Particle-Vibration Coupling (PVC) model, of a d5/2 proton coupled to a quadrupole phonon of an effective core. This approach provides a good description of the experimental data, requiring an effective BeO∗24 core with a phonon energy of ħω2= 3.2 MeV and a B(E2)≈2.7 W.u. - softer and more collective than a bare BeO24. Both the Nilsson deformed mean field and the PVC models appear to capture the properties of the effective core of BeF25, suggesting that the additional proton polarizes BeO24 in such a way that it becomes either slightly deformed or a quadrupole vibrator.

Compton polarimeters have played an important role in the study of nuclear structure physics, but have often been limited in their applications because of relatively low γ-ray detection efficiency. With the advent of γ-ray tracking detector arrays, which feature nearly 4π solid angle coverage and the ability to identify the location of Compton-scattering events to within a few millimeters, this limitation can be overcome. Here we present a characterization of the performance of the Gamma Ray Energy Tracking In-beam Nuclear Array (GRETINA) as a Compton polarimeter using the 24Mg(p,p′) reaction at 2.45 MeV proton energy. We also discuss a new capability added to the simulation package UCGretina to simulate the emission of polarized photons, and compare it to the measured data. Finally, we use these simulations to predict the performance of the Gamma Ray Energy Tracking Array (GRETA).

We discuss a phenomenological shell model analysis of the structure of 48 , 49 , 50Ca. Based on simple arguments, we propose wavefunctions fit to the available data on spectroscopic factors derived from direct one neutron addition and removal reactions. These empirical wavefunctions are then used to calculate properties of low-lying states in 49 , 50 , 51Ca, which are consistent with available experimental data. Our analysis appears to capture the main ingredients at play in the low-lying properties of these nuclei and emphasize the prominent role of pairing correlations. We also present predictions that could motivate further work.

Exclusive cross sections for the P43(−1p)Si42 reaction to the lowest 0+ and 2+ states, measured at NSCL with GRETINA and the S800, are interpreted in terms of a two-level mixing (collective) model of oblate and prolate coexisting shapes. Using the formalism developed for deformed nuclei, we calculate the spectroscopic amplitudes and exclusive cross sections in the strong-coupling limit, where for P43 the schematic wave function includes the coupling of the Nilsson [211]12 proton orbit. Good agreement with the experimental data is obtained when the amplitude of the oblate configuration is ≳80%, suggesting that both nuclei are predominantly oblate, in line with theoretical expectations. Model predictions for excitation energies and electromagnetic observables, which could motivate further studies of both nuclei, are also presented.