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The low-lying excited states in the neutron-deficient $N = Z + 1$ nucleus $^{87}_{43}$Tc$_{44}$ have been studied via the fusion-evaporation reaction $^{54}$Fe $(^{36}Ar, 2n1p)$ $^{87}$Tc at the Grand Accelerateur National d'Ions Lourds (GANIL), France. The AGATA spectrometer was used in conjunction with the auxiliary NEDA, Neutron Wall, and DIAMANT detector arrays to measure coincident prompt γ rays, neutrons, and charged particles emitted in the reaction. A level scheme of $^{87}$Tc from the $(9/2^+_{g.s})$ state to the $( 33 / 2^+_1$) state was established based on six mutually coincident γ -ray transitions. The constructed level structure exhibits a rotational behavior with a sharp backbending at $ℏω ≈ 0.50$ MeV. A decrease in alignment frequency and increase in alignment sharpness in the odd-mass isotonic chains around $N=44$ is proposed as an effect of the enhanced isoscalar neutron-proton interactions in odd-mass nuclei when approaching the $N=Z$ line.

Lifetime measurements in $$^{178}$$ 178 Pt with excited states de-exciting through $$\gamma $$ γ -ray transitions and internal electron conversions have been performed. Ionic charges were selected by the in-flight mass separator MARA and measured at the focal plane in coincidence with the $$4_1^+\rightarrow 2_1^+$$ 4 1 + → 2 1 + $$257\,$$ 257 keV $$\gamma $$ γ -ray transition detected using the JUROGAM 3 spectrometer. The resulting charge-state distributions were analysed using the differential decay curve method (DDCM) framework to obtain a lifetime value of 430(20) ps for the $$2_1^+$$ 2 1 + state. This work builds on a method that combines the charge plunger technique with the DDCM analysis. As an alternative analysis, ions were selected in coincidence with the $$^{178}$$ 178 Pt alpha decay ($$E_{\mathrm {alpha}} = 5.458(5)$$ E alpha = 5.458 ( 5 ) MeV) at the focal plane. Lifetime information was obtained by fitting a two-state Bateman equation to the decay curve with the lifetime of individual states defined by a single quadrupole moment. This yielded a lifetime value of 430(50) ps for the $$2_1^+$$ 2 1 + state, and 54(6) ps for the $$4_1^+$$ 4 1 + state. An analysis method based around the Bateman equation will become especially important when using the charge plunger method for the cases where utilising coincidences between prompt $$\gamma $$ γ rays and recoils is not feasible.

Fine structure in the α decay of Th90221, populating excited states in Ra88217, was studied using αγ-coincidence spectroscopy. Two α-decay branches from Th221 have been newly observed, with Eα(keV)[bα(%)]=7951(8)[0.14(3)] and 8247(3)[1.51(12)], together with three previously known branches. Also, two new states in Ra217 were identified at E = 177 and 227 keV. The ground-state configurations of the odd-A, N = 131 transitional isotones above Pb208 are interpreted from their α-decay fine structure systematics and considered in terms of predictions using spherical shell and reflection-asymmetric models.

Excited states in $^{174}\mathrm{Re}$ have been populated in fusion-evaporation reactions at the Australian National University, and $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray spectroscopy has been used to determine the level structure and to deduce the underlying nucleon configurations. The half-life of the bandhead of the ${K}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}={8}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ band has been measured to be 2.7(4) ns. A band built on an isomeric state of spin-parity (${14}^{\ensuremath{-}}$) and a half-life of 53(5) ns has been observed here for the first time, and has been determined to have a four-quasiparticle structure. Contrasting reduced-hindrance values for its decay are discussed in terms of deformation and configuration changes, as indicated by configuration-constrained potential energy surface calculations.

Rotational structures have been measured using the Jurogam II and GAMMASPHERE arrays at low spin following the Gd155(α,2n)Dy157 and Nd148(C12,5n)Dy155 reactions at 25 and 65 MeV, respectively. We report high-K bands, which are conjectured to be the first candidates of a Kπ=2+γ vibrational band, built on the [505]11/2− neutron orbital, in both odd-ADy155,157 isotopes. The coupling of the first excited K=0+ states or the so-called β vibrational bands at 661 and 676 keV in Dy154 and Dy156 to the [505]11/2− orbital, to produce a Kπ=11/2− band, was not observed in both Dy155 and Dy157, respectively. The implication of these findings on the interpretation of the first excited 0+ states in the core nuclei Dy154 and Dy156 are also discussed.

To test the predictive power of ab initio nuclear structure theory, the lifetime of the second 2(+) state in neutron-rich O-20, tau(2(2)(+)) = 150(-30)(+80) fs, and an estimate for the lifetime of ...

The low-lying energy spectrum of the extremely neutron-deficient self-conjugate (N = Z) nuclide 88 44Ru44 has been measured using the combination of the Advanced Gamma Tracking Array (AGATA) spectrometer, the NEDA and Neutron Wall neutron detector arrays, and the DIAMANT charged particle detector array. Excited states in 88Ru were populated via the 54Fe(36Ar; 2n )88Ru fusion-evaporation reaction at the Grand Acc�el�erateur National d'Ions Lourds (GANIL) accelerator complex. The observed -ray cascade is assigned to 88Ru using clean prompt - -2-neutron coincidences in anti-coincidence with the detection of charged particles, con�rming and extending the previously assigned sequence of low-lying excited states. It is consistent with a moderately deformed rotating system exhibiting a band crossing at a rotational frequency that is significantly higher than standard theoretical predictions with isovector pairing, as well as observations in neighboring N > Z nuclides. The direct observation of such a \delayed" rotational alignment in a deformed N = Z nucleus is in agreement with theoretical predictions related to the presence of strong isoscalar neutron-proton pair correlations.

6 pags., 4 figs., The γ-ray emission from the nuclei Fe 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 Fe 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., This work was partially supported by INFN (Italy) and STFC (UK), the Swedish Research Council (Vetenskapsrådet, VR 2010-147, 2011-5253, and 2016-3969), BMBF NuSTAR-AGATA 05P18RDFN9 and BMBF NuSTAR 05P18RDFN1. The project was co-funded by the European Commission under the 7th Framework Program for RTD (2007-2013) under the Capacities Program (Contract Number 262010, ENSAR). This work was par-tially supported by the Ministry of Science, and Generalitat Valenciana, Spain, under the Grants SEV-2014-0398, FPA2017-84756-C4, PROMETEO/2019/005 and by the EU FEDER funds.

The lifetimes of the low-lying excited states 2(+) and 4(+) have been directly measured in the neutron-deficient Sn-106,Sn-108 isotopes. the nuclei were populated via a deep-inelastic reaction and the lifetime measurement was performed employing a differential plunger device. the emitted gamma rays were detected by the AGATA array, while the reaction products were uniquely identified by the VAMOS++ magnetic spectrometer. Large-Scale Shell-Model calculations with realistic forces indicate that, independently of the pairing content of the interaction, the quadrupole force is dominant in the B(E2; 2(1)(+) -> 0(g.s)(+)) values and it describes well the experimental pattern for Sn104-114 ; the B(E2;(+)(4) -> 2(1)(+)) values, measured here for the first time, depend critically on a delicate pairing-quadrupole balance, disclosed by the very precise results in Sn-108. (C) 2020 the Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V., European Union's Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological DevelopmentEuropean Union (EU) [262010]; Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio Padova e Rovigo under the project CONPHYT, starting grant in 2017; Swedish Research CouncilSwedish Research Council [822-2005-3332, 821-2010-6024, 821-2013-2304, 621-20145558, 2017-0065]; Knut and Alice Wallenberg FoundationKnut & Alice Wallenberg Foundation [2005.0184]; Scientific and Technological Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [114F473]; Ministerio de Ciencia e InnovacionInstituto de Salud Carlos IIISpanish Government [SEV-2014-0398, FPA2017-84756-C4, EEBBI-15-09671]; Generalitat ValencianaGeneralitat Valenciana [PROMETEO/2019/005]; EU-FEDER fundsEuropean Union (EU); Croatian Science Foundation [7194]; Hungarian National Research and Innovation Office (NKFIH) [K128947, PD124717, GINOP-2.3.3-15-2016-00034]; Polish National Science Centre under the COPIN-IN2P3 project [2014-14-M-ST2-00738, 2016-22M-ST2-00269, 2017-25-B-ST2-01569]; Polish National Science Centre under the COPIGAL project [2014-14-M-ST2-00738, 2016-22M-ST2-00269, 2017-25-B-ST2-01569]; Polish National Science Centre under the POLITA project [2014-14-M-ST2-00738, 2016-22M-ST2-00269, 2017-25-B-ST2-01569], The authors would like to thank the AGATA and VAMOS collaborations. Special thanks go to the GANIL technical staff for their help in setting up the apparatuses and the good quality beam and to A. Poves for his fruitful comments. This work was partially supported by the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (grant no. 262010). A.G. acknowledges the support of the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio Padova e Rovigo under the project CONPHYT, starting grant in 2017. the work was also supported (B.C, H.L., J.N. and U.J.) by Swedish Research Council under the grant agreements nos. 822-2005-3332, 821-2010-6024, 821-2013-2304, 621-20145558 and 2017-0065, and by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation grant no. 2005.0184, (B.S.) by the Scientific and Technological Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) under the project no. 114F473, (A.G., A.J. and R.P.) by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion under the contracts nos. SEV-2014-0398, FPA2017-84756-C4 and EEBBI-15-09671, by the Generalitat Valenciana under the grant agreement no. PROMETEO/2019/005 and by the EU-FEDER funds, (T.M and S.S.) by the Croatian Science Foundation under the project no. 7194, (I.K and D.S.) by the Hungarian National Research and Innovation Office (NKFIH) under the project nos. K128947, PD124717 and GINOP-2.3.3-15-2016-00034, (M.P.) by the Polish National Science Centre with the grants nos. 2014-14-M-ST2-00738, 2016-22M-ST2-00269 and 2017-25-B-ST2-01569 under the COPIN-IN2P3, COPIGAL and POLITA projects.

International audience; A first performance test of the Coulomb excitation multipolarimetry (Coulex-multipolarimetry) method is presented. It is based on a $^{85}\hbox {Br}\,\pi p_{3/2}\rightarrow \pi p_{1/2}$ 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 $^{85}\hbox {Br}$ excitations as well as measured $^{197}\hbox {Au}$ excitations, an upper limit for the M1 transition strength of the $1/2_1^-\rightarrow 3/2_\text {g.s.}^-$ transition in $^{85}\hbox {Br}$ 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\pi $ configuration on these estimates is deduced via Geant4 simulations.

Excited states in the extremely neutron-deficient nucleus $$^{172}{\mathrm {Pt}}$$172Pt were populated via $$^{96}\mathrm {Ru}(^{78}\mathrm {Kr},2p)$$96Ru(78Kr,2p) and $$^{92}\mathrm {Mo}(^{83}\mathrm {Kr},3n)$$92Mo(83Kr,3n) reactions. The level scheme has been extended up to an excitation energy of $$\approx 5~\hbox {MeV}$$≈5MeV and tentative spin-parity assignments up to $$I^\pi = 18^+$$Iπ=18+. Linear polarization and angular distribution measurements were used to determine the electromagnetic E1 character of the dipole transitions connecting the positive-parity ground-state band with an excited side-band, firmly establishing it as a negative-parity band. The lowest member of this negative-parity structure was firmly assigned spin-parity $$3^-$$3-. In addition, we observed an E3 transition from this $$3^-$$3- state to the ground state, providing direct evidence for octupole collectivity in $$^{172}{\mathrm {Pt}}$$172Pt. Large-scale shell model (LSSM) and total Routhian surface (TRS) calculations have been performed, supporting the interpretation of the $$3^-$$3- state as a collective octupole-vibrational state.

Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research / A Accelerators, spectrometers, detectors and associated equipment Section A 969, 163967 (2020). doi:10.1016/j.nima.2020.163967, Published by North-Holland Publ. Co., Amsterdam

Lifetimes of the excited states in the neutron-rich Ti-52,Ti-54 nuclei, produced in a multinucleon-transfer reaction, were measured by employing the Cologne plunger device and the recoil-distance D ...

© 2019 American Physical Society. An analysis technique has been developed in order to mitigate energy summing due to sequential short-lived α decays from nuclei implanted into a silicon detector. Using this technique, α-decay spectroscopy of the N=130 isotones Ra218 (Z=88) and Th220 (Z=90) has been performed. The energies of the α particles emitted in the Ra218→Rn214 and Th220→Ra216 ground-state-to-ground-state decays have been measured to be 8381(4) keV and 8818(13) keV, respectively. The half-lives of the ground states of Ra218 and Th220 have been measured to be 25.99(10) μs and 10.4(4) μs, respectively. The half-lives of the ground states of the α-decay daughters, Rn214 and Ra216, have been measured to be 259(3) ns and 161(11) ns, respectively. Fine structure in the α decay of Ra218 has been observed for the first time, populating the 695-keV 21+ state in Rn214. The fine-structure α decay has an α-particle energy of 7715(40) keV and branching ratio bα=0.123(11)%.

CITATION: Majola, S. N. T. et al. 2019. β and γ bands in N=88, 90, and 92 isotones investigated with a five-dimensional collective Hamiltonian based on covariant density functional theory: Vibrations, shape coexistence, and superdeformation. Physical Review C, 100(4). doi:10.1103/PhysRevC.100.044324.

CITATION: Majola, S. N. T., et al. 2019. Spectroscopy of low-spin states in 157Dy : Search for evidence of enhanced octupole correlations. Physical Review C, 100(6):034322, doi:10.1103/PhysRevC.100.034322.

A lifetime measurement of the 19/2 state in Pb 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 Pb beam impinging on a Mo 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 Pb. An analysis in terms of a particle-octupole-vibration coupling model indicates that the measured B(E3) value in Pb 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.

Background: Levels fulfilling the seniority scheme and relevant isomers are commonly observed features in semimagic nuclei; for example, in Sn isotopes (Z=50). Seniority isomers in Sn, with dominantly pure neutron configurations, directly probe the underlying neutron-neutron (νν) interaction. Furthermore, an addition of a valence proton particle or hole, through neutron-proton (νπ) interaction, affects the neutron seniority as well as the angular momentum. Purpose: Benchmark the reproducibility of the experimental observables, like the excitation energies (EX) and the reduced electric-quadrupole transition probabilities [B(E2)], with the results obtained from shell-model interactions for neutron-rich Sn and Sb isotopes with N

Lifetime measurements of excited states in Hg-178 have been performed using the Rh-103(Kr-78, p2n) reaction at a beam energy of 354 MeV. The recoil-decay tagging (RDT) technique was applied to select the Hg-178 nuclei and associate the prompt gamma rays with the correlated characteristic ground-state alpha decay. Lifetimes of the four lowest yrast states of Hg-178 have been determined using the recoil distance Doppler-shift (RDDS) method. The experimental data are compared to theoretical predictions with focus on shape coexistence. The results confirm the shift of the deformed prolate structures to higher lying states but also indicate their increasing deformation with decreasing neutron number.

A new method of extracting the γ -ray intensities necessary to perform lifetime measurements using the differential decay curve method (DDCM) is presented in this work, the unresolved Doppler-shifted components method (UDCM). The UDCM allows for a DDCM analysis to be performed using a γ -ray transition for which the fully Doppler-shifted and degraded components are unresolvable in energy and so are detected as a single peak. This technique was used to measure the known lifetime of the yrast 2 1 + state in 50 Mn with a depopulating transition that does not have resolvable fully Doppler-shifted and degraded components. The lifetime measured through applying the UDCM was consistent with the standard DDCM measurement of the 2 1 + state. Use of the UDCM allows for DDCM lifetime measurements to be made using transitions of smaller γ -ray energies, smaller recoil velocities and, in some cases, with a smaller uncertainty. In contrast to a standard DDCM analysis, a UDCM analysis is also independent of the widths of the fully Doppler-shifted and degraded components and as a result they do not need to be determined.

Grahn, Tuomas/0000-0002-6255-2279; Herzan, Andrej/0000-0002-6736-7638; Cullen, Dave/0000-0002-0041-1606; Barber, Liam/0000-0002-7409-9352; Keatings, James Michael/0000-0003-4271-8021; SAYGI, BAHADIR/0000-0001-5406-506X; Greenlees, Paul/0000-0002-5986-5274; Spagnoletti, Pietro/0000-0002-7674-989X; Parr, Edward/0000-0001-6204-4461; Bondili, S Nara Singh/0000-0002-4096-2429, WOS: 000494939000022, This letter reports lifetime measurements of excited states in the odd-N nucleus W-163 using the recoil-distance Doppler shift method to probe the core polarising effect of the i(13/2) neutron orbital on the underlying soft triaxial even-even core. the ratio B(E2:21/2(+) -> 17/2(+))/B(E2:17/2(+) -> 13/2(+)) is consistent with the predictions of the collective rotational model. the deduced B(E2) values provide insights into the validity of collective model predictions for heavy transitional nuclei and a geometric origin for the anomalous B(E2) ratios observed in nearby even-even nuclei is proposed. (C) 2019 the Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V., UK Science and Technology Facilities CouncilScience & Technology Facilities Council (STFC) [ST/P004598/1, ST/L005670/1, ST/L005794/1]; Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [117F508]; EU HORIZON2020 programme "Infrastructures" [654002]; Academy of Finland under the Finnish Centre of Excellence Programme (Nuclear and Accelerator Based Physics Programme at JYFL); Science and Technology Facilities CouncilScience & Technology Facilities Council (STFC) [1643549] Funding Source: researchfish, This work has been supported by the UK Science and Technology Facilities Council under grants ST/P004598/1, ST/L005670/1 and ST/L005794/1; the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK Project No: 117F508); the EU HORIZON2020 programme "Infrastructures", project number: 654002 (ENSAR2) and by the Academy of Finland under the Finnish Centre of Excellence Programme (Nuclear and Accelerator Based Physics Programme at JYFL). the UK/France (STFC/IN2P3) Loan Pool and GAMMAPOOL network are acknowledged for the HPGe escapesuppressed detectors of the JUROGAM II array.

International audience; A Coulomb excitation campaign on $^{106,108,110}$Sn at 4.4–4.5 MeV/u was launched at the HIE-ISOLDE facility at CERN. Larger excitation cross sections and γ-ray statistics were achieved compared to previous experiments at ∼2.8 MeV/u. More precise $(B(E2;0_{1}^{ + } \to 2_{1}^{ + }))$ values, lifetimes of states via the Doppler shift attenuation method, and new $(B(E2;0_{1}^{ + } \to 2_{x}^{ + })), (B(E2;2_{1}^{ + } \to 4_{1}^{ + }))$ and $(Q(2_{1}^{ + }))$ values from the new Miniball data will be obtained and applied to test modern nuclear structure theories.

Lifetime measurements of excited states of the light N = 52 isotones 88 Kr , 86 Se , and 84 Ge have been performed, using the recoil distance Doppler shift method and VAMOS and AGATA spectrometers for particle identification and gamma spectroscopy, respectively. The reduced electric quadrupole transition probabilities B ( E 2 ; 2 + → 0 + ) and B ( E 2 ; 4 + → 2 + ) were obtained for the first time for the hard-to-reach 84 Ge . While the B ( E 2 ; 2 + → 0 + ) values of 88 Kr , 86 Se saturate the maximum quadrupole collectivity offered by the natural valence ( 3 s , 2 d , 1 g 7 / 2 , 1 h 11 / 2 ) space of an inert 78 Ni core, the value obtained for 84 Ge largely exceeds it, suggesting that shape coexistence phenomena, previously reported at N ≲ 49 , extend beyond N = 50 . The onset of collectivity at Z = 32 is understood as due to a pseudo-SU(3) organization of the proton single-particle sequence reflecting a clear manifestation of pseudospin symmetry. It is realized that the latter provides actually reliable guidance for understanding the observed proton and neutron single particle structure in the whole medium-mass region, from Ni to Sn, pointing towards the important role of the isovector-vector ρ field in shell-structure evolution.

Lifetimes of the first excited 2(+) and 4(+) states in the extremely neutron -deficient nuclide Pt-172 have been measured for the first time using the recoil-distance Doppler shift and recoil-decay tagging techniques. An unusually low value of the ratio B(E2: 4(1)(+) -> 2(1)(+)/B(E2: 2(1)(+) -> 0(gs)(+)) = 0.55(19) was found, similar to a handful of other such anomalous cases observed in the entire Segre chart. The observation adds to a cluster of a few extremely neutron -deficient nuclides of the heavy transition metals with neutron numbers N approximate to 90-94 featuring the effect. No theoretical model calculations reported to date have been able to explain the anomalously low B(E2: 4(1)(+) -> 2(1)(+)/B(E2: 2(1)(+) -> 0(gs)(+)) ratios observed in these cases. Such low values cannot, e.g., be explained within the framework of the geometrical collective model or by algebraic approaches within the interacting boson model framework. It is proposed that the group of B(E2: 4(1)(+) -> 2(1)(+)/B(E2: 2(1)(+) -> 0(gs)(+)) ratios in the extremely neutron-deficient even-even W, Os, and Pt nuclei around neutron numbers N approximate to 90-94 reveal a quantum phase transition from a seniority-conserving structure to a collective regime as a function of neutron number. Although a system governed by seniority symmetry is the only theoretical framework for which such an effect may naturally occur, the phenomenon is highly unexpected for these nuclei that are not situated near closed shells.

A Coulomb-excitation experiment to study electromagnetic properties of Ca42 was performed using a 170-MeV calcium beam from the TANDEM XPU facility at INFN Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro. γ rays from excited states in Ca42 were measured with the AGATA spectrometer. The magnitudes and relative signs of ten E2 matrix elements coupling six low-lying states in Ca42, including the diagonal E2 matrix elements of 21+ and 22+ states, were determined using the least-squares code gosia. The obtained set of reduced E2 matrix elements was analyzed using the quadrupole sum rule method and yielded overall quadrupole deformation for 01,2+ and 21,2+ states, as well as triaxiality for 01,2+ states, establishing the coexistence of a weakly deformed ground-state band and highly deformed slightly triaxial sideband in Ca42. The experimental results were compared with the state-of-the-art large-scale shell-model and beyond-mean-field calculations, which reproduce well the general picture of shape coexistence in Ca42.

The evolution of collectivity with spin along the yrast line in the neutron-deficient nucleus $^{112}\mathrm{Te}$ has been studied by measuring the reduced transition probability of excited states in the yrast band. In particular, the lifetimes of the ${4}^{+}$ and ${6}^{+}$ excited states have been determined by using the recoil distance Doppler-shift method. The results are discussed using both large-scale shell-model and total Routhian surface calculations.

WOS: 000406755100001, Lifetimes of excited states in the yrast band of the neutron-deficient nuclide W-166 have been measured utilizing the DPUNS plunger device at the target position of the JUROGAM II gamma-ray spectrometer in conjunction with the RITU gas-filled separator and the GREAT focal-plane spectrometer. Excited states in W-166 were populated in the Mo-92(Kr-78, 4p) reaction at a bombarding energy of 380 MeV. The measurements reveal a low value for the ratio of reduced transitions probabilities for the lowest-lying transitions B(E2; 4(+)-> 2(+)) / B(E2; 2(+)-> 0(+)) = 0.33(5), compared with the expected ratio for an axially deformed rotor (B-4/2 = 1.43)., EURONS (European Commission)European Commission Joint Research Centre [RII3-CT-2004-506065]; Academy of Finland under the Finnish Centre of Excellence Programme (Nuclear and Accelerator Based Physics) [213503]; UK Science and Technology Facilities CouncilScience & Technology Facilities Council (STFC); Academy of FinlandAcademy of Finland [131665], This work has been supported through EURONS (European Commission Contract No. RII3-CT-2004-506065), the Academy of Finland under the Finnish Centre of Excellence Programme 2006-2011 (Nuclear and Accelerator Based Physics Contract No. 213503), and the UK Science and Technology Facilities Council. The UK/France (STFC/IN2P3) Loan Pool and GAMMAPOOL network are acknowledged for the EUROGAMdetectors of JUROGAMII. T.G. acknowledge the support of the Academy of Finland (Contract No. 131665).

Using the 168Er(10B,5n) reaction at a beam energy of 68 MeV, new data have been obtained for the population and decay of a T1/2 = 148 ns, Kπ = 21/2− three-quasiparticle isomer at 1717 keV in 173Ta. Revised decay energies and intensities have been determined, together with newly observed members of a rotational band associated with the isomer. By comparison with other isomers in the A ≈ 180 deformed region, the 173Ta isomer properties help to specify the key degrees of freedom that determine K-forbidden transition rates. In particular, when all three quasiparticles are of the same nucleon type, there is a strong dependence of the E2 reduced hindrance factor on the isomer excitation energy.

Prompt γ-ray spectroscopy of the neutron-rich $^{96}$Kr, produced in transfer- and fusion-induced fission reactions, has been performed using the combination of the Advanced Gamma Tracking Array and the VAMOS++ spectrometer. A second excited state, assigned to $J^π$ = $4^+$, is observed for the first time, and a previously reported level energy of the first 2+ excited state is confirmed. The measured energy ratio R4/2 = E($4^+$)/E($2^+$) = 2.12(1) indicates that this nucleus does not show a well-developed collectivity contrary to that seen in heavier N = 60 isotones. This new measurement highlights an abrupt transition of the degree of collectivity as a function of the proton number at Z = 36, of similar amplitude to that observed at N = 60 at higher Z values. A possible reason for this abrupt transition could be related to the insufficient proton excitations in the g9/2, d5/2, and s1/2 orbitals to generate strong quadrupole correlations or to the coexistence of competing different shapes. An unexpected continuous decrease of R4/2 as a function of the neutron number up to N = 60 is also evidenced. This measurement establishes the Kr isotopic chain as the low-Z boundary of the island of deformation for N = 60 isotones. A comparison with available theoretical predictions using different beyond mean-field approaches shows that these models fail to reproduce the abrupt transitions at N = 60 and Z = 36.

A fast-timing experiment was performed at the Argonne National Laboratory in December 2015 and January 2016, measuring decay radiation of fission products from a Cf-252 fission source. Details of the set-up, integration with Digital Gammasphere, and the data acquisition system are presented. The timing performance of the set-up, capable of measuring lifetimes from the nanosecond region down to tens of picoseconds, is discussed. First preliminary results from the fast-timing analysis of the fission fragment data are presented.

Excited states in the proton-unbound nucleus 151Lu have been established using γ-ray coincidence techniques. The lifetime of the first excited state above the proton-emitting ground state has been measured using the recoil-distance Doppler-shift method combined with recoil-decay tagging. The experimental level scheme and extracted lifetime have been compared with state-of-the-art theoretical calculations based upon a non-adiabatic deformed Woods–Saxon potential. This comparison suggests that the proton-emitting ground state in 151Lu is mildly oblate with a deformation β = − 0.11 − 0.05 + 0.02 and represents the best evidence to date for proton emission from an oblate nucleus.

The 54Fe nucleus was populated from a 56Fe beam impinging on a Be target with an energy of E=A ¼ 500 MeV. The internal decay via γ-ray emission of the 10þ metastable state was observed. As the structure of this isomeric state has to involve at least four unpaired nucleons, it cannot be populated in a simple two-neutron removal reaction from the 56Fe ground state. The isomeric state was produced in the low-momentum (-energy) tail of the parallel momentum (energy) distribution of 54Fe, suggesting that it was populated via the decay of the Δ0 resonance into a proton. This process allows the population of fournucleon states, such as the observed isomer. Therefore, it is concluded that the observation of this 10þ metastable state in 54Fe is a consequence of the quark structure of the nucleons.

The level scheme of the neutron-deficient nuclide 168Os has been extended and mean lifetimes of excited states have been measured by the recoil distance Doppler-shift method using the JUROGAM \gamma-ray spectrometer in conjunction with the IKP K\"oln plunger device. The 168Os \gamma rays were measured in delayed coincidence with recoiling fusion-evaporation residues detected at the focal plane of the RITU gas-filled separator. The ratio of reduced transition probabilities B(E2;4_1^+ \rightarrow 2_1^+)/B(E2;2_1^+ \rightarrow 0_1^+) is measured to be 0.34(18), which is very unusual for collective band structures and cannot be reproduced by IBM-2 model calculations based on the SkM* energy-density functional.

The lifetime of the $(11/{2}^{+})$ state in the band above the proton-emitting $(3/{2}^{+})$ state in $^{113}\mathrm{Cs}$ has been measured to be $\ensuremath{\tau}=24(6)$ ps from a recoil-decay-tagged differential-plunger experiment. The measured lifetime was used to deduce the deformation of the states using wave functions from a nonadiabatic quasiparticle model to independently calculate both proton-emission and electromagnetic $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray transition rates as a function of deformation. The only quadrupole deformation, which was able to reproduce the experimental excitation energies of the states, the electromagnetic decay rate of the $(11/{2}^{+})$ state and the proton-emission rate of the $(3/{2}^{+})$ state, was found to be ${\ensuremath{\beta}}_{2}=0.22(6)$. This deformation is in agreement with the earlier proton emission studies which concluded that $^{113}\mathrm{Cs}$ was best described as a deformed proton emitter, however, it is now more firmly supported by the present measurement of the electromagnetic transition rate.

The triple $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-decay chain $^{114}\mathrm{Ba}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}^{110}\mathrm{Xe}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}^{106}\mathrm{Te}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}^{102}\mathrm{Sn}$ has been directly observed for the first time, following the $^{58}\mathrm{Ni}(^{58}\mathrm{Ni},2n)$ reaction. Implantation of $^{114}\mathrm{Ba}$ nuclei into a double-sided silicon-strip detector has allowed their $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ decays to be correlated in position and time with the $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ decays of the daughter $(^{110}\mathrm{Xe})$ and granddaughter $(^{106}\mathrm{Te})$ nuclei. In total, 17 events have been assigned to the $^{114}\mathrm{Ba}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}^{110}\mathrm{Xe}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}^{106}\mathrm{Te}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}^{102}\mathrm{Sn}$ triple $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-decay chain. The energy of the $^{114}\mathrm{Ba} \ensuremath{\alpha}$ decay has been measured to be ${E}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}}=3480$(20) keV, which is 70 keV higher than the previously measured value, and the half-life of $^{114}\mathrm{Ba}$ has been measured with improved accuracy, to be ${380}_{\ensuremath{-}110}^{+190}$ ms. A revised ${Q}_{^{12}\mathrm{C}}$ value of 19 035(45) keV for $^{114}\mathrm{Ba}$ is presented.

K. Hadyńska-Kl¸ek et al. ; 7 pags., 3 figs., 2 tabs., Shape parameters of a weakly deformed ground-state band and highly deformed slightly triaxial sideband in Ca42 were determined from E2 matrix elements measured in the first low-energy Coulomb excitation experiment performed with AGATA. The picture of two coexisting structures is well reproduced by new state-of-the-art large-scale shell model and beyond-mean-field calculations. Experimental evidence for superdeformation of the band built on 02+ has been obtained and the role of triaxiality in the A∼40 mass region is discussed. Furthermore, the potential of Coulomb excitation as a tool to study superdeformation has been demonstrated for the first time. © 2016 American Physical Society, Special gratitude goes to the INFN LNL and HIL Warsaw technical staff for their support and help, in particular, the accelerator crews for providing intense and good-quality 42Ca and 32S beams. K. H.-K. acknowledges support from the Research Council of Norway under the project Grant No. 213442. T. R. R. acknowledges computing time at GSI-Darmstadt and support from Spanish MINECO under Programa Ramon y Cajal 11420 and FIS-2014-53434-P, H. N. acknowledges support from Helmholtz Association through the Nuclear Astrophysics Virtual Institute NAVI (No. VH-VI-417). We also acknowledge the support by Generalitat Valenciana, Spain, under the grant PROMETEOII/2014/019 and by the FEDER funds of the European Commission (A. Gadea), Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad under Contract No. FPA2014-57196-C5 (A. J., A. Gadea), German Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF) under Contract No. 05P12PKFNE TP4 (B. Birkenbach), the Polish National Science Centre under Projects No. DEC-2013/10/M/ST2/00427, No. DPN/N190/ AGATA/2009, No. 2011/03/B/ST2/01894, No. UMO- 2014/14/M/ST2/00738 (COPIN-INFN Collaboration), and No. 2015/17/B/ST2/01534.

The $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ decay of $^{222}\mathrm{Th}$ populating the low-lying ${J}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}={3}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ state, and also a proposed ${1}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ state, in $^{218}\mathrm{Ra}$ has been observed. The observations suggest an excitation energy of 853 keV for the ${1}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ state, which is 60 keV above the ${3}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ state. The hindrance factors of these $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ decays give a possible boundary to the region of ground-state octupole deformation in the light-actinide nuclei. The relative positions of the ${J}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}={1}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ and ${3}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ states suggest they are produced by an octupole-vibrational mechanism, as opposed to $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ clustering or rotations of a reflection-asymmetric octupole-deformed shape.

A lifetime measurement has been made for the first excited 11/2(+) state in the proton-unbound nucleus (109)(53)I56 using the recoil-distance Doppler-shift method in conjunction with recoil-proton ...

The lifetime of an excited state above a weakly populated isomer in the proton-unbound odd-odd nucleus 144Ho has been measured using the recoil distance Doppler shift method. This measurement represents the first differential-plunger lifetime measurement to utilize recoil-isomer tagging. The first excited I[pi]=(10+) state above the two-quasiparticle [pi]h11/2[circle times operator][nu]h11/2(8+) isomer was determined to have a lifetime of [tau]=6(1)�ps. Potential energy surface calculations, based on the configuration-constrained blocking method, predict the isomeric state to have [gamma]-soft triaxial-nuclear shape with [gamma][approximate]24�. The lifetime of the (10+) state can be understood from these calculations if there is a degree of rotational alignment in this band, with the K value being lower than the bandhead spin. However, the validity of the K quantum number with large predicted triaxiality and gamma softness requires further theoretical study.

This contribution focuses on the new observation of a dipole band built upon an Iπ=31/2− isomeric state in 189Pb, identified using recoil-isomer tagging at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland. This is the lightest odd-mass Pb isotope in which a dipole band is known. By comparison with the heavier-mass dipole bands, the dipole band in 189Pb was deduced to be based upon a π(s1/2−2h9/2i13/2)11−⊗v(i13/2−1)13/2+$\pi {\left( {s_{1/2}^{ - 2}{h_{9/2}}{i_{13/2}}} \right)_{{{11}^ - }}} \otimes v{\left( {i_{13/2}^{ - 1}} \right)_{13/{2^ + }}}$ configuration. However, in the 189Pb dipole band, the initial aligned angular momentum was larger than that exhibited by the dipole bands in the heavier-mass isotopes. This may be evidence for a reduced repulsive proton/neutron-hole interaction in 189Pb.

A dipole band of six transitions built upon a firmly established Iπ=31/2- isomeric state has been identified in Pb189 using recoil-isomer tagging. This is the lightest odd-mass Pb nucleus in which ...

The He-8 + Pb-208 reaction was studied in the first experiment with the EXOGAM germanium detector array using beam delivered by the SPIRAL facility. gamma-rays from direct and fusion-evaporation reactions were observed with high resolution. gamma-gamma coincidence data were obtained at a beam intensity level of 105 8He particles per second. Specially designed absorbers and beam detectors could further reduce the background radiation by orders of magnitude.

In a recent experiment performed with the EUROGAM II {gamma}-ray spectrometer three superdeformed (SD) bands have been established in {sup 153}Ho. The properties of these bands are discussed in terms of single-particle proton excitations and are compared with respect to the SD magic nucleus {sup 152}Dy. These results represent the first observation of SD structures in a holmium nucleus and provide further information on the proton orbitals lying above the Z=66 shell gap. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}

Excited states in the T-z-1/2 nucleus Rb-75 were observed for the first time using the Ca-40(Ca-40,alpha p) reaction at 128 MeV. Identification was achieved using events detected by the Daresbury recoil separator in coincidence with gamma rays detected in the 45 element EUROGAM I Ge-detector array. Threefold events were used to build a decay scheme which consists of two rotational bands observed to I-pi=(45+/2) and I-pi=(33-/2). The positive parity band in Rb-75 behaves similarly to a negative-parity band in Kr-74 and contains a region of alignment at (h) over bar omega approximate to 0.75 MeV. These data, and those of Sr-77, be interpreted by treating protons and neutrons separately in a cranked shell model approach despite a recent suggestion for the presence of T=1 neutron-proton pairing correlations in the neighboring self-conjugate, odd-odd Rb-74 ground state band. Our study suggests that some experimental observables such as the energy levels and moments of inertia, may not be able to differentiate between different T=1 pairing phases in these T-z=1/2 nuclei. (Less)

The K hindrance to the gamma decay is studied in the warm rotating W-174 nucleus, focusing on the weakening of the selection rules of the K quantum number with increasing excitation energy. W-174 was populated by the fusion reaction of Ti-50 (at 217 MeV) on a Te-128 target, and its gamma decay was detected by the AGATA Demonstrator array coupled to a BaF2 multiplicity filter at Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro of INFN. A fluctuation analysis of gamma coincidence matrices gives a similar number of low-K and high-K discrete excited bands. The results are compared to simulations of the gamma-decay flow based on a microscopic cranked shell model at finite temperature in which the K mixing is governed by the interplay of Coriolis force with the residual interaction. Agreement between simulations and experiment is obtained only by hindering the E1 decay between low-K and high-K bands by an amount compatible with that determined by spectroscopic studies of K isomers in the same mass region, with a similar trend with excitation energy. The work indicates that K mixing due to temperature effects may play a leading role for the entire body of discrete excited bands, which probes the onset region of K weakening.

Knowledge of the exact microscopic structure of the 0${}_{1}$${}^{+}$ ground state and first excited 0${}_{2}$${}^{+}$ state in ${}^{150}$Sm is required to understand the branching of double \ensuremath{\beta} decay to these states from ${}^{150}$Nd. The detailed spectroscopy of ${}^{150}$Sm and ${}^{152}$Gd has been studied using (\ensuremath{\alpha},xn) reactions and the \ensuremath{\gamma}-ray arrays AFRODITE and JUROGAM II. Consistently strong $E$1 transitions are observed between the excited ${K}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}$ $=$ 0${}_{2}$${}^{+}$ bands and the lowest negative parity bands in both nuclei. These results are discussed in terms of the possible permanent octupole deformation in the first excited ${K}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}$ $=$ 0${}_{2}$${}^{+}$ band and also in terms of the ``tidal wave'' model of Frauendorf.