Search

Low-lying states of Cd-98 have been populated by the two-nucleon removal reaction (In-100, Cd-98+gamma) and studied using in-beam gamma-ray spectroscopy at the Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory at RIKEN. Two new gamma transitions were identified and assigned as decays from a previously unknown state. This state is suggested to be based on a pi 1g(/9/2)(-1)2p(1/2)(-2) configuration with J(pi) = 5(-). The present observation extends the systematics of the excitation energies of the first 5(-) state in N = 50 isotones toward Sn-100. The determined energy of the 5(- )state in Cd-98 continues a smooth trend along the N = 50 isotones. The systematics are compared with shell-model calculations in different model spaces. Good agreement is achieved when considering a model space consisting of the pi(1f(5/2), 2p(3/2), 2p(1/2), 1g(9/2)) orbitals. The calculations with a smaller model space omitting the orbitals below the Z = 38 subshell could not reproduce the experimental energy difference between the ground and first 5(-) states in N = 50 isotones, because proton excitations across Z = 38 subshell yield a large amount of correlation energy that lowers the ground states. (Less)

We studied the proton-rich T_{z}=-1 nucleus ^{70}Kr through inelastic scattering at intermediate energies in order to extract the reduced transition probability, B(E2;0^{+}→2^{+}). Comparison with the other members of the A=70 isospin triplet, ^{70}Br and ^{70}Se, studied in the same experiment, shows a 3σ deviation from the expected linearity of the electromagnetic matrix elements as a function of T_{z}. At present, no established nuclear structure theory can describe this observed deviation quantitatively. This is the first violation of isospin symmetry at this level observed in the transition matrix elements. A heuristic approach may explain the anomaly by a shape change between the mirror nuclei ^{70}Kr and ^{70}Se contrary to the model predictions.

Physics letters / B 816, 136183 (2021). doi:10.1016/j.physletb.2021.136183, Published by North-Holland Publ., Amsterdam

Here we present new information on the shape evolution of the very neutron-rich ^{92,94}Se nuclei from an isomer-decay spectroscopy experiment at the Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory at RIKEN. High-resolution germanium detectors were used to identify delayed γ rays emitted following the decay of their isomers. New transitions are reported extending the previously known level schemes. The isomeric levels are interpreted as originating from high-K quasineutron states with an oblate deformation of β∼0.25, with the high-K state in ^{94}Se being metastable and K hindered. Following this, ^{94}Se is the lowest-mass neutron-rich nucleus known to date with such a substantial K hindrance. Furthermore, it is the first observation of an oblate K isomer in a deformed nucleus. This opens up the possibility for a new region of K isomers at low Z and at oblate deformation, involving the same neutron orbitals as the prolate orbitals within the classic Z∼72 deformed hafnium region. From an interpretation of the level scheme guided by theoretical calculations, an oblate deformation is also suggested for the ^{94}Se_{60} ground-state band.

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.

12 pags., 11 figs., 2 tabs., The N= Z= 36 nucleus Kr has been studied by inelastic scattering at intermediate energies. Two targets, Be and Au, were used to extract the nuclear deformation length, δ, and the reduced E2 transition probability, B(E2). The previously unknown non-yrast 2 and 4 states as well as a new candidate for the octupole 3 state have been observed in the scattering on the Be target and placed in the level scheme based on γ- γ coincidences. The second 2 state was also observed in the scattering on the Au target and the B(E2;22+→01+) value could be determined for the first time. Analyzing the results in terms of a two-band mixing model shows clear evidence for a oblate-prolate shape coexistence and can be explained by a shape change from an oblate ground state to prolate deformed yrast band from the first 2 state. This interpretation is corroborated by beyond mean field calculations using the Gogny D1S interaction., We would like to thank the RIKEN accelerator and BigRIPS teams for providing the high intensity beams. We thank T. Furumoto for providing us with the optical potentials and A. Moro for giving access to an unpublished version of the FRESCO code. This work has been supported by UK STFC under Grant numbers ST/L005727/1 and ST/P003885/1, the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad under Grants FPA2011-24553, FPA2014-52823-C2- 1-P, and PGC2018-094583-B-I00, the Program Severo Ochoa (SEV2014-0398), the European Research Council through the ERC Grant No. MINOS-258567, NKFIH (NN128072), and by the ÚNKP-19-4- DE-65 New National Excellence Program of the Ministry of Human Capacities of Hungary. G. K. acknowledges support from the János Bolyai research fellowship of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. K. W. acknowledges the support from the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad RYC-2017-22007.

Physics letters / B 820, 136591 (2021). doi:10.1016/j.physletb.2021.136591, Published by North-Holland Publ., Amsterdam

A systematic study was performed of microsecond γ-decaying isomers around Sn100 produced in a fragmentation reaction of a Xe124 beam at 345 MeV/u at the Radioactive Ion Beam Factory of the RIKEN Nishina Center in Saitama, Japan. Half-lives of isomeric states in that region were remeasured allowing us to improve the currently available experimental information. Reduced transition probabilities were deduced and compared to shell-model calculations in various model spaces. The recently reported low-energy transitions in Rh92 and Ag96 were remeasured with improved precision. Additionally, experimental information on isomeric ratios, including five new ones, were extracted and compared to a previous experimental study and the sharp cutoff model of fragmentation reaction.

Excited states in the $T_z=-1$ nucleus $^{70}$Kr have been populated using inelastic scattering of a radioactive $^{70}$Kr beam as well as one- and two-neutron removal reactions from $^{71,72}$Kr at intermediate beam energies. The level scheme of $^{70}$Kr was constructed from the observed $\gamma$-ray transitions and coincidences. Tentative spin and parity assignments were made based on comparison with the mirror nucleus $^{70}$Se. A second $2^+$ state and a candidate for the corresponding $4^+_2$ state suggest shape coexistence in $^{70}$Kr., Comment: accepted Phys. Lett. B

International audience; Isomeric states in isotopes in the vicinity of doubly-magic 208Pb were populatedfollowing reactions of a relativistic 208Pb primary beam impinging on a9Be fragmentation target. Secondary beams of 198,200,202,206Pb and 206Hg wereisotopically separated and implanted in a passive stopper positioned in thefocal plane of the GSI Fragment Separator. Delayed γ rays were detected withthe Advanced Gamma Tracking Array (AGATA). Decay schemes were reevaluatedand interpreted with shell-model calculations. The momentumdependentpopulation of isomeric states in the two-nucleon hole nuclei206Pb/206Hg was found to differ from the population of multi neutron-holeisomeric states in 198,200,202Pb.

D. Ralet et al. -- 11 pags., 10 figs., 3 tabs., Background: In the neutron-rich A≈100 mass region, rapid shape changes as a function of nucleon number as well as coexistence of prolate, oblate, and triaxial shapes are predicted by various theoretical models. Lifetime measurements of excited levels in the molybdenum isotopes allow the determination of transitional quadrupole moments, which in turn provides structural information regarding the predicted shape change. Purpose: The present paper reports on the experimental setup, the method that allowed one to measure the lifetimes of excited states in even-even molybdenum isotopes from mass A=100 up to mass A=108, and the results that were obtained. Method: The isotopes of interest were populated by secondary knock-out reaction of neutron-rich nuclei separated and identified by the GSI fragment separator at relativistic beam energies and detected by the sensitive PreSPEC-AGATA experimental setup. The latter included the Lund-York-Cologne calorimeter for identification, tracking, and velocity measurement of ejectiles, and AGATA, an array of position sensitive segmented HPGe detectors, used to determine the interaction positions of the γ ray enabling a precise Doppler correction. The lifetimes were determined with a relativistic version of the Doppler-shift-attenuation method using the systematic shift of the energy after Doppler correction of a γ-ray transition with a known energy. This relativistic Doppler-shift-attenuation method allowed the determination of mean lifetimes from 2 to 250 ps. Results: Even-even molybdenum isotopes from mass A=100 to A=108 were studied. The decays of the low-lying states in the ground-state band were observed. In particular, two mean lifetimes were measured for the first time: τ=29.7-9.1+11.3 ps for the 4+ state of Mo108 and τ=3.2-0.7+0.7 ps for the 6+ state of Mo102. Conclusions: The reduced transition strengths B(E2), calculated from lifetimes measured in this experiment, compared to beyond-mean-field calculations, indicate a gradual shape transition in the chain of molybdenum isotopes when going from A=100 to A=108 with a maximum reached at N=64. The transition probabilities decrease for Mo108 which may be related to its well-pronounced triaxial shape indicated by the calculations., This work was supported by the BMBF under Grants No. 05P09RDFN4, No. 05P12RDFN8, and No. 05P12PKFNE and by the LOEWE center HIC for FAIR. Part of this work was supported by the P2IO excellence center. This work was also supported by the European Community FP7–Capacities, ENSAR Contract No. 262010, by the Swedish Research Council under Contracts No. 2010-147, No. 2010-3694, No. 2011-5253, No. 2011-6127, and No. 2014-5558, by the IN2P3- GSI No. 02-42 collaboration, by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and by MINECO, Spain, under Grant No. FPA2014-57196-C5, and Generalitat Valenciana, Spain, under Grant No. PROMETEOII/2014/019

P. J. Davies et al. -- 6 pags., 4 figs., 3 tabs.-- Open Access funded by Creative Commons Atribution Licence 4.0, The first evidence for β-delayed proton emission from the 16 spin gap isomer in Cd is presented. The data were obtained from the Rare Isotope Beam Factory, at the RIKEN Nishina Center, using the BigRIPS spectrometer and the EURICA decay station. βp branching ratios for the ground state and 16 isomer have been extracted along with more precise lifetimes for these states and the lifetime for the ground state decay of Cd. Large scale shell model (LSSM) calculations have been performed and WKB estimates made for ℓ=0,2,4 proton emission from three resonance-like states in Ag, that are populated by the β decay of the isomer, and the results compared to the new data. The calculations suggest that ℓ=2 proton emission from the resonance states, which reside ∼5 MeV above the proton separation energy, dominates the proton decay. The results highlight the importance of core-excited wavefunction components for the 16 state., This work was partially supported by the German BMBF grant 05P12PKFNE, the UK Science and Technology Facilities Council(STFC) grants ST/J000124/1 and ST/L005727/1, and the U.S. DOE grant DE-FG02-91ER40609.

The Super-FRS in-flight fragment separator at FAIR will be used to produce exotic nuclei at relativistic energies. High resolution experiments in ion traps with the separated fragments will be performed after they are slowed-down in matter and quickly extracted from a gas-filled stopping cell. Such experiments require an effective range bunching with a high-resolution magnetic spectrometer in combination with a wedge-shaped degrader at the dispersive focal plane. The ion-optical system of the spectrometer proposed here is rather versatile because it consists of several dipole and quadrupole magnets arranged such to serve as an energy-buncher and also as a large-acceptance spectrometer for the analysis of secondary reaction products. The performance and the experimental potential of such a multi-purpose spectrometer are described.

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.

International audience; To investigate the systematics of mixed-symmetry states in N=52 isotones, a relativistic Coulomb excitation experiment was performed during the PreSPEC campaign at the GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung to determine E2 transition strengths to 2+ states of the radioactive nucleus $^{88}$Kr. Absolute transition rates could be measured towards the first and third 2+ states. For the latter a mixed-symmetry character is suggested on the basis of the indication for a strong M1 transition to the fully symmetric 21+ state, extending the knowledge of the N=52 isotones below Z=40. A comparison with the proton-neutron interacting boson model and shell-model predictions is made and supports the assignment.

Masses of 238U projectile fragments have been measured with time-resolved Schottky Mass Spectrometry (SMS) at the FRS-ESR facility at GSI. The exotic nuclei were created in the production target at the entrance of the fragment separator FRS, spatially separated in flight and injected into the storage-cooler ring ESR at about 70% light velocity. This means the ions were mainly bare or carried only a few electrons, e.g., the population of Li-like ions was below 1% for Pt fragments. Accurate newmass values of 33 neutron-rich, stored exotic nuclei in the element range from platinum to uranium have been obtained for the first time. In total more than 150 nuclides including references with well-known masses have been covered in this large-area SMS measurement. A novel data analysis has been applied which reduces the systematic errors by taking into account the velocity profile of the cooler electrons and the residual ion-optical dispersion in this part of the storage ring. The experiment, the data analysis, and the mass values are presented. The experimental data are compared with theoretical predictions demonstrating systematic deviations of up to 1500 keV from modern mass models.

The design, R&D, and testing of a new plastic-scintillator detector for Time-of-Flight measurements with relativistic heavy-ion beams are presented. A design approach using 32 independent precise timing measurements of the same physical event is followed. This is different from the conventional scheme, which aims at two or four high-precision measurements. A circular, 27 cm in diameter, BC-420 plastic-scintillator sheet is read-out by 32 photomultiplier tubes in order to achieve an intrinsic detector resolution on the order of 10 ps root mean square.

The light krypton isotopes were studied in a series of Coulomb excitation experiments using radioactive beams at GANIL. The static quadrupole moments found in these experiments give firm experimental evidence for the shape coexistence scenario that is based on theoretical calculations and on the systematics of low-lying excited 0+ states. The experimental results are interpreted within a phenomenological two-band mixing model. Configuration mixing calculations based on triaxial Hartree-Fock-Bogolyubov calculations with the Gogny D1S effective interaction have been performed and compared to experimental data.

The lineshapes and peak position of Doppler corrected γ -ray spectra from in-beam experiments at relativistic energies are investigated with respect to the intrinsic energy resolution of the employed detectors, the particles’ velocities, and the photons’ emission angle uncertainties at the moment of γ -ray emission. The uncertainties in velocity and photon emission angle are dependent on the lifetime of the excited state. The impact of these two observables on the lineshape and energy resolution are studied for the RISING γ -spectrometer by means of simulations and experimental results from a two-step fragmentation experiment at ≈ 200 MeV / u . Potential use of the distinct lineshape for lifetime determination is demonstrated for measured γ -ray transitions.

Nuclear structure spectroscopy studies at GSI recently gained increased momentum within a broad international community with the installation of the Rare Isotopes Spectroscopic INvestigation at GSI (RISING) project. A wide range of physical phenomena has been addressed by high-resolution in-beam γ-ray spectroscopy experiments with radioactive beams. Relativistic radioactive beams are implanted and their subsequent γ and β decay is investigated. Within this "stopped beam campaign" germanium detectors were arranged in a close geometry around the passive stopper or an array of DSSSD detectors. The exceptionally high γ-ray efficiency of that configuration made it possible to identify decays of excited or ground states of nuclei which have not been observed before. The results discussed here include the astrophysically relevant shell structure of N =82 isotones, N = Z nuclei around 54 Ni , and proton drip-line nuclei below 100 Sn . The experimental data are compared to the results of large scale shell-model calculations using various sets of realistic residual two-body interaction.

The neutron-rich N = 126 nucleus Au-205 has been populated following the relativistic energy projectile fragmentation of E/A = 1 GeV Pb-208, and studied via charged-particle decay spectroscopy. An internal decay with a transition energy of 907(5) keV and a half-life of T-1/2 = 6(2) s has been identified through the observation of the corresponding K and L internal conversion electron lines. The 907 keV energy level corresponds to the pi h(11/2)(-1) proton-hole state and decays both internally into the pi d(3/2)(-1) ground-state and via beta decay into Hg-205. The obtained data provides information on the evolution of single-proton hole energies which are vital inputs of shell model descriptions for nuclei around the Pb-208(82)126 doubly magic core. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

This paper outlines some of the physics opportunities available with the GSI RISING active stopper and presents preliminary results from an experiment aimed at performing beta-delayed gamma-ray spectroscopic studies in heavy-neutron-rich nuclei produced following the projectile fragmentation of a 1 GeV per nucleon 208 Pb primary beam. The energy response of the silicon active stopping detector for both heavy secondary fragments and beta-particles is demonstrated and preliminary results on the decays of neutron-rich Tantalum ( Ta ) to Tungsten ( W ) isotopes are presented as examples of the potential of this technique to allow new structural studies in hitherto experimentally unreachable heavy, neutron-rich nuclei. The resulting spectral information inferred from excited states in the tungsten daughter nuclei are compared with results from axially symmetric Hartree–Fock calculations of the nuclear shape and suggest a change in ground state structure for the N = 116 isotone 190 W compared to the lighter isotopes of this element.

The first 2+ states in 134Ce and 136Nd and the second 2+ state in 136Nd were populated by Coulomb excitation at relativistic energies, and γ-rays were measured using the RISING setup at GSI. For 134Ce an indication of the excitation to the second 2+ state was observed. This experiment performed for the first time Coulomb excitation to second 2+ states with rare isotope beams at relativistic energies. For 136Nd the B ( E 2 ; 2 1 + → 0 + ) , B ( E 2 ; 2 2 + → 0 + ) , and B ( E 2 ; 2 2 + → 2 1 + ) values relative to the previously known B ( E 2 ; 2 1 + → 0 + ) value for 134Ce are determined as 81(10), 11(3) and 180(92) W.u., respectively. The results are discussed in the framework of geometrical models that indicate pronounced γ-softness in these nuclei.

A compilation of the available experimental internal conversion coefficients (ICCs), αT, αK, αL, and ratios K/L and K/LM of high multipole (L > 2) transitions for a number of elements in the range 21 ⩽ Z ⩽ 94 is presented. Our listing of experimental data includes 194 data sets on 110 E3 transitions, 10 data sets on 6 E4 transitions, 11 data sets on 7 E5 transitions, 38 data sets on 21 M3 transitions, and 132 data sets on 68 M4 transitions. Data with less than 10% experimental uncertainty have been selected for comparison with the theoretical values of Hager and Seltzer [R.S. Hager, E.C. Seltzer, Nucl. Data Tables A 4 (1968) 1], Rosel et al. [F. Rosel, H.M. Fries, K. Alder, H.C. Pauli, At. Data Nucl. Data Tables 21 (1978) 91], and BRICC. The relative percentage deviations (%Δ) have been calculated for each of the above theories and the averages ( % Δ ¯ ) are estimated. The Band et al. [I.M. Band, M.B. Trzhaskovskaya, C.W. Nestor Jr., P.O. Tikkanen, S. Raman, At. Data Nucl. Data Tables 81 (2002) 1] tables, using the BRICC interpolation code, are seen to give theoretical ICCs closest to experimental values.

Nuclear spectroscopy using radioactive isotope beams requires dedicated set-ups. State-of-the- art Ge arrays recently started to provide valuable γ spectroscopic data. At the SIS/FRS facility at GSI exotic beams at relativistic energies were employed for Coulomb excitation and secondary fragmentation experiments with the fast beam RISING set-up. Shell evolution far off stability, pn-pairing, symmetries and nuclear shapes were studied in nuclei ranging from 36 Ca to 136 Nd. The observation of a I = 27 ¯ state demonstrated that high spin states can be reached in massive fragmentation reactions. This and the large sensitivity of relativistic in-beam experiments opens a rich ground for advanced nuclear structure studies. Combining RISING with AGATA γ-tracking detectors and improved particle detection is planned for future experimental investigations.

The preliminary results from the RISING Stopped Beam Isomer Campaign are presented, with specific focus on results of the initial experiment to investigate isomeric decays along the N=Z line around A similar to 80-90 following the projectile fragmentation of a Ag-107 primary beam at an energy of 750 MeV per nucleon. A description of the technical aspects behind the design of the RISING array is presented, together with evidence for previously unreported isomeric decays in Tc-87,Tc-88 and the N=Z nuclei Nb-82(41) and Tc-86(43).

The first excited 2+2+ state of 36Ca has been identified by its γ -decay, exploiting the two-step fragmentation technique at the FRS-RISING setup at GSI. This is the heaviest Tz=−2Tz=−2 nucleus in the Segré chart in which a γ-decay of an excited state has been observed. A stable beam of 40Ca at View the MathML source420AMeV impinged on a primary 9Be target. Out of the secondary beam of fragmentation products, 37Ca was separated by the FRS and struck on a second 9Be target at the final focus of the FRS. The energy for the View the MathML source21+ decay of 36Ca was determined to be 3015(16) keV, which is 276 keV lower than in its T=2T=2 mirror 36S. This mirror energy difference (MED) is discussed in the framework of shell model calculations using a 16O core, the sd shell isospin symmetric interaction USD and experimental single-particle energies from 17O and 17F. The results show that the MED within the sd shell provide a sensitive test for the evolution of the N , Z=14,16Z=14,16 subshell gaps towards the driplines. Especially the N , Z=16Z=16 gap is determined by Thomas–Ehrman shift in the A=17A=17, T=1/2T=1/2 isospin doublet, while Coulomb effects are found to have marginal influence. ispartof: Physics Letters B vol:647 issue:4 pages:237-242 status: published

A. Wendt et al. ; 1 pag. ; PACS number(s): 21.10.Hw, 23.20.Js, 25.70.De, 27.30.+t, 99.10.Fg

We have studied the β decay of the Tz=−1, f7/2 shell nuclei Ni54, Fe50, Cr46, and Ti42 produced in fragmentation reactions. The proton separation energies in the daughter Tz=0 nuclei are relatively large (≈4–5 MeV) so studies of the γ rays are essential. The experiments were performed at GSI as part of the Stopped-beam campaign with the RISING setup consisting of 15 Euroball Cluster Ge detectors. From the newly obtained high precision β-decay half-lives, excitation energies, and β branching ratios, we were able to extract Fermi and Gamow-Teller transition strengths in these β decays. With these improved results it was possible to compare in detail the Gamow-Teller (GT) transition strengths observed in beta decay including a sensitivity limit with the strengths of the Tz=+1 to Tz=0 transitions derived from high resolution (3He,t) reactions on the mirror target nuclei at RCNP, Osaka. The accumulated B(GT) strength obtained from both experiments looks very similar although the charge exchange reaction provides information on a broader energy range. Using the “merged analysis” one can obtain a full picture of the B(GT) over the full Qβ range. Looking at the individual transitions some differences are observed, especially for the weak transitions. Their possible origins are discussed. (Less)

International audience; 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.

A broad range of physics phenomena can be addressed by high-resolution in-beam γ-ray spectroscopy experiments with radioactive beams offered within the Rare ISotopes INvestigation at GSI (RISING) project. It combines the EUROBALL Ge-Cluster detectors, the MINIBALL Ge detectors, the HECTOR-BaF detectors, and the fragment separator FRS. The secondary beams produced at relativistic energies are used for Coulomb excitation or secondary fragmentation experiments to study projectile like nuclei far off the stability line by measuring de-excitation photons. The physics studied comprises the evolution of shell structure towards the drip lines and its signatures as inferred from excitation energies, mirror symmetry and electromagnetic transition strengths. The first results of the "fast beam campaign" are discussed in comparison to various shell model calculations including the structure of light Sn isotopes based on Coulomb excitation of 108Sn, the discussion of the N = 32,34 sub-shell closure based on neutron-rich 56,58Cr isotopes, and the shell structure in light proton-rich Ca isotopes from the fragmentation of a 37Ca radioactive beam.

An in-beam study of the transfermium nucleus 252No has been performed using the JUROSPHERE II array of germanium detectors coupled to the gas-filled recoil separator RITU. A new technique of recoil-fission tagging was used to extract tagged γ-ray data. Having significant spontaneous fission and α-decay branches, 252No is an ideal candidate for a comparative study. In a similar manner to α-decay tagging the fission events can be used to obtain γ-ray data. The recoil-fission tagged γ-ray spectrum showed a similar structure to the α-decay tagged γ-ray spectrum. By comparing the α-tagged and fission-tagged spectra and decay curves, it was shown that the spontaneous fission originates from the same initial state as the α decay. This extension of the tagging method allows in-beam spectroscopic data to be obtained from heavy nuclei with significant spontaneous-fission branches.

The population of metastable states produced in relativistic-energy fragmentation of a U-238 beam has been measured. For states with angular momentum greater than or similar to 20h, a much higher population than expected has been observed. By introducing a collective component to the generation of angular momentum the experimental data can be understood. This is the first time that a collective degree of freedom has be shown to play a major role in such high-energy collisions. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

An experiment utilizing a double fragmentation reaction was performed to study isobaric analogue states in A similar to 50 nuclei approaching the proton drip-line. gamma-ray spectroscopy will be used to identify excited states in the neutron-deficient nuclei produced in the second fragmentation reaction. Excited state level schemes will be obtained, through comparison with states in their well-known mirror partners, along with information on Coulomb effects through measurements of the Coulomb energy differences between isobaric analogue excited states. The validity of isospin symmetry for nuclei approaching the proton drip-line can also be investigated and the information gained will aid in testing and improving fp shell model calculations. The analysis of the collected data is at a preliminary stage and current status of this work is reported.

A newly developed CAlorimeter TElescope (CATE) is employed in the fast beam RISING γ-campaign with relativistic energies at the FRS at GSI. CATE consists of nine Si-CsI(Tl) detector telescopes for position and ΔE - E measurements. It registers the scattering angle and identifies the charge (Z) and the mass (A) of exotic heavy ions produced after secondary fragmentation or Coulomb excitation.

The first excited 2 + states in 54,56,58Cr were populated by Coulomb excitation at relativistic energies and γ rays were measured using the RISING setup at GSI. For 56Cr and 58Cr the B ( E2 , 2 1 + → 0 + ) values relative to the previously known B ( E 2 ) value for 54Cr are determined as 8.7(3.0) and 14.8(4.2) W.u., respectively. The results are consistent with a subshell closure at neutron number N = 32 which was already indicated by the higher energy of the 2 1 + state in 56Cr. Recent large-scale shell model calculations using effective interactions reproduce the trend in the excitation energies, but fail to account for the minimum in the B ( E 2 ) values at N = 32 .

The projectile fragmentation of a 92 Mo beam onto a beryllium target at an incident energy of 500 A MeV has been studied at the high-resolution spectrometer FRS at GSI. The isotopic production cross-sections of the projectile fragments produced in the reaction have been determined. The data have been compared to the empirical parameterisation, EPAX, and to a microscopic nuclear reaction model, ABRABLA.

Breakup reactions were used to study the ground-state configuration of the neutron-rich isotope 23O. The 22O fragments produced in one-nucleon removal from 23O at 938 MeV/nucleon in a carbon target were detected in coincidence with de-exciting γ rays, allowing to discern between 22O ground-state and excited-states contributions. From the comparison of exclusive experimental momentum distributions for the one-neutron removal channel to theoretical momentum distributions calculated in an Eikonal model for the knockout process, and spin and parity assignment of I π = 1/2+ was deduced for the 23O ground state. This result solved the existent experimental discrepancy.

The Rare ISotopes INvestigation at GSI project combines the former EUROBALL Ge-Cluster detectors, the MINIBALL Ge detectors, BaF2--HECTOR detectors, and the fragment separator at GSI for high-resolution in-beam gamma-ray spectroscopy measurements with radioactive beams. These secondary beams produced at relativistic energies are used for Coulomb excitation or secondary fragmentation experiments in order to explore the nuclear structure of the projectiles or projectile like nuclei by measuring de-excitation photons. The newly designed detector array is described and the performance characteristics are given. Moreover, particularities of the experimental technique are discussed.

The 3/2- isomer in 185Pb and states above it have been populated in the α-decay of 189Po. The observed α-decay strengths to and the electromagnetic decay properties of the excited states in 185Pb have been combined with Potential Energy Surface and Particle-Plus-Rotor calculations to propose configuration assignments. It is suggested that the α-decaying isomer of 189Po is of prolate origin and that the prolate configuration becomes very low in energy in 185Pb.

4 pages, 4 figures.-- Printed version published Dec 27, 2004.-- Issue title: "Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Radioactive Nuclear Beams (RNB6)" (Argonne, Illinois, US, Sep 22-26, 2003)., One-nucleon removal reactions at relativistic energies have been used as a spectroscopic tool to characterise the ground state properties of several neutron-rich isotopes in the sd-shell. Using the FRS at GSI, the longitudinal momentum distributions of the emerging fragments after one-nucleon removal were measured. The relative contributions of the remaining fragments in their ground and excited states have been determined from measurements of γ rays in coincidence with the longitudinal momentum distributions. In particular the breakup of O-23 has been investigated. The interpretation of our measurements, in the framework of a simple theoretical model, favours a spin and parity assignment of 1/2+ for the O-23 ground state in agreement with shell model predictions.

Detailed fine-structure $\alpha$ -decay studies of 188,190Bi were performed using the complete-fusion reactions of 50,52Cr ions with a 142Nd target at the velocity filter SHIP. The evaporation residues were separated in-flight and subsequently identified on the basis of recoil- $\alpha$ , recoil- $\alpha$ - $\gamma$ /X-ray and excitation function measurements. Improved data on the $\alpha$ -decay of 188,190Bi were obtained and a number of new low-lying excited states in the daughters 184,186Tl were observed. An intruder, presumably 10- state was identified in 184Tl, extending the systematics of such states in the odd-odd Tl nuclei beyond the neutron mid-shell at N = 104. Some technical aspects of experiment at recoil separators are also discussed.

The structure of heavy nuclei has been investigated in GSI by means of γ-ray isomer spectroscopy following projectile fragmentation. The obtained results as well as experimental aspects relevant for further studies are discussed.

One-proton removal reactions of 936 MeV/u 8 B have been studied with carbon and lead as breakup targets. Using the FRS at GSI, the longitudinal momentum distributions of the 7 Be fragments and the one-proton removal cross section of 8 B were measured. The relative contributions of the breakup channels leading to 7 Be in its ground state and excited state at 429 keV ( 7 Be ∗ ) have been determined from measurements of γ rays in coincidence with the fragments from the one-proton removal reaction. The experimental breakup data are discussed in the context of a theoretical ( α+ 3 He + p ) three-body model. The combined data from the two targets allow a determination of the weight of the 7 Be ∗ component in the 8 B ground state wave function as (13.3±2.2%)

The neutron transfer in a very heavy asymmetric nuclear system, in 206 Pb + 118 Sn has been measured using particle- $\gamma$ coincidence techniques with position-sensitive detectors, 5 EUROBALL-Cluster detectors (EB) and the Heidelberg-Darmstadt NaI-CRYSTAL BALL (CB). The fragments are identified via the known $\gamma$ -decays of the lowest excited states using the high resolution of EB. Using the unique feature of the set-up with the CB, transfer to well-defined final channels with known quantum numbers is selected using the high-efficiency multiplicity filter of the CB with no second $\gamma$ -ray, i.e. without feeding. The enhancement in the two-neutron transfer is deduced, for population of the low-lying super-fluid 2 + states in 120 Sn and 116 Sn, while the 2n-transition remains in the ground state for the recoiling 20X Pb-nuclei. Large enhancements up to EF $\simeq 10^3$ are observed. This is the first observation of neutron pair-transfer enhancement for a heavy nuclear binary system with superfluid properties with experimentally separated levels.

At energies below the Coulomb barrier, neutron transfer and Coulomb excitation have been measured in a very heavy asymmetric nuclear system, in 206Pb + 118Sn. These are semi-magic nuclei showing super-fluid properties. Particle-γ coincidence techniques using 5 Euroball Cluster detectors (EB), combined in a set-up with the Heidelberg-Darmstadt NaI Crystal Ball (CB), have been used. Position-sensitive detectors allowed the observation of scattering processes covering angles from 110 up to 150 degrees. The fragments are identified via the known γ-decays of the lowest excited states using the high resolution of EB. Using the unique feature of the set-up with the CB, transfer to well-defined final channels with known quantum numbers is selected using the high-efficiency multiplicity filter of the CB with no second γ-ray, i.e. without feeding. The data are analysed using the semi-classical approach and transfer probabilities are obtained. Coulomb excitation has been analysed using known transition probabilities. The enhancement is deduced for the two-neutron transfer populating the low-lying super-fluid 2+ states in 120Sn and 116Sn, while the 2n transition remains in the ground state for the 20NPb nuclei. Large enhancements up to EF ≃ 103 are observed. This is the first observation of neutron pair transfer enhancement for a heavy nuclear binary system with super-fluid properties with experimentally separated levels. The calculations with microscopic 2-neutron wave functions, with configuration mixing over six shell model configurations and using the coupled reaction channels approach, reproduce well the observed probabilities and the enhancement.

In-beam conversion electron spectroscopy experiments have been performed on the transfermium nuclei 253, 254No using the conversion electron spectrometer SACRED in nearly collinear geometry in conjunction with the gas-filled separator RITU at the University of Jyvaskyla. The experimental setup is discussed and the spectra are compared to Monte Carlo simulations. The implications for the ground-state configuration of 253No are discussed.

Relativistic energy fragmentation of a 1 GeV/nucleon Pb-208 beam was used to populate a wide range of nuclei on both sides of the valley of beta-stability. The structure of these nuclei was studied by the identification of discrete gamma-ray transitions depopulating isomeric states with lifetimes in the nano- to millisecond range. Highlights of the experiment include the first observation of gamma-ray transitions in the neutron-rich nuclei (188)TA, W-190, Re-192, Os-195, Ir-197,Ir-198, Pt-201,Pt-202. The yrast states in W-190 and Pt-202 as well as the decay out from 10-20 ns isomers in Pt-202,Pt-201 and Os-195 are discussed. The observation of the previously reported isomeric K = 35/2 states in Hf-175, W-179 and Re-181 represents the highest discrete spin states observed to date following a projectile fragmentation reaction.

Masses of $^{52}$Co, $^{52}$Co$^m$, $^{52}$Fe, $^{52}$Fe$^m$, and $^{52}$Mn have been measured with the JYFLTRAP double Penning trap mass spectrometer. Of these, $^{52}$Co and $^{52}$Co$^m$ have been experimentally determined for the first time and found to be more bound than predicted by extrapolations. The isobaric multiplet mass equation for the $T=2$ quintet at $A=52$ has been studied employing the new mass values. No significant breakdown (beyond the $3\sigma$ level) of the quadratic form of the IMME was observed ($\chi^2/n=2.4$). The cubic coefficient was 6.0(32) keV ($\chi^2/n=1.1$). The excitation energies for the isomer and the $T=2$ isobaric analogue state in $^{52}$Co have been determined to be 374(13) keV and 2922(13) keV, respectively. The $Q$ value for the proton decay from the $19/2^-$ isomer in $^{53}$Co has been determined with an unprecedented precision, $Q_{p} = 1558.8(17)$ keV. The proton separation energies of $^{52}$Co and $^{53}$Ni relevant for the astrophysical rapid proton capture process have been experimentally determined for the first time. \end{abstract}, Comment: 12 pages, 13 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. C (26.9.2016)

Reduced transition strengths of the deexciting transitions from the first two excited states in 33Ar were measured in a relativistic Coulomb excitation experiment at the GSI Helmholtz center. The radioactive ion beam was produced by fragmentation of a primary 36Ar beam on a 9Be target followed by the selection of the reaction product of interest via the GSI Fragment Separator. The 33Ar beam hit a secondary 197Au target with an energy of approximately 145 MeV/nucleon. An array of high-purity germanium cluster detectors and large-volume BaF2 scintillator detectors were employed for γ -ray spectroscopy at the secondary target position. The Lund-York-Cologne Calorimeter was used to track the outgoing ions and to identify the nuclear reaction channels. For the two lowest energy excited states of 33Ar the reduced transition strengths have been determined. With these first results the Tz = −3/2 nucleus 33Ar is now, together with 21Na (Tz = −1/2), the only neutron-deficient odd-A sd shell nucleus in which experimental transition strengths are available. The experimental values are compared to results of shell-model calculations which describe simultaneously mirror-energy differences and transition-strength values of mirror pairs in the sd shell in a consistent way