Search

The $\beta^-$ decay of $^{47}$K to $^{47}$Ca is an appropriate mechanism for benchmarking interactions spanning the $sd$ and $pf$ shells, but current knowledge of the $\beta^-$-decay scheme is limited. We have performed a high-resolution, high-efficiency study of the $\beta^-$-decay of $^{47}$K with the GRIFFIN spectrometer at TRIUMF-ISAC. The study revealed 48 new transitions, a more precise value for the $^{47}$K half-life (17.38(3)~s), and new spin and parity assignments for eight excited states. Levels placed for the first time here raise the highest state observed in $\beta^-$ decay to within 568(3) keV of the $Q$-value and confirm the previously measured large $\beta^-$-decay branching ratios to the low-lying states. Previously unobserved $\beta^-$-feeding to 3/2$^+$ states between 4.5 and 6.1~MeV excitation energy was identified with a total $\beta^-$-feeding intensity of 1.29(2)\%. The sum of the $B(GT)$ values for these states indicates that the $1s_{1/2}$ proton hole strength near this excitation energy is comparable to the previously known $1s_{1/2}$ proton and neutron hole strengths near 2.6 MeV.

We report on high-statistics data from the $\beta^-$ decay of the $^{46}$K $J^{\pi}$ = 2$^-$ ground state taken with the GRIFFIN spectrometer located at the TRIUMF-ISAC facility. In total, 199 $\gamma$ rays and 42 excited states were placed in the level scheme, and from the observed $\beta$ feeding and angular correlations of pairs of cascading $\gamma$ rays, it was possible to assign spins and parities to excited states and determine mixing ratios for selected $\gamma$ rays. The level structure of $^{46}$Ca is compared to theoretical predictions from a microscopic valence-space Hamiltonian derived from two- (NN) and three-nucleon (3N) forces. These calculations are in reasonable agreement with the experimental data and indicate that the protons in this region are not as inert as would be expected for semi-magic nuclei.

We report on the observation of excited states in the neutron-deficient phosphorus isotopes $^{26,27,28}\mathrm{P}$ via in-beam $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray spectroscopy with both high-efficiency and high-resolution detector arrays. In $^{26}\mathrm{P}$, a previously unobserved level has been identified at 244(3) keV, two new measurements of the astrophysically important $3/{2}^{+}$ resonance in $^{27}\mathrm{P}$ have been performed, $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ decays have been assigned to the proton-unbound levels at 2216 and 2483 keV in $^{28}\mathrm{P}$, and the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray line-shape method has been used to make the first determination of the lifetimes of the two lowest-lying excited states in $^{28}\mathrm{P}$. The expected Thomas-Ehrman shifts were calculated and applied to levels in the mirror nuclei. The resulting level energies from this procedure were then compared with the energies of known states in $^{26,27,28}\mathrm{P}$.

CITATION: Longfellow, B., et al. 2018. Measurement of key resonances for the 24Al( p,γ )25Si reaction rate using in-beam γ -ray spectroscopy. Physical Review C, 97(5):054307, doi:10.1103/PhysRevC.97.054307.

The electron-beam ion trap (EBIT) charge breeder of the ReA post-accelerator, located at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (Michigan State University), started on-line operation in September 2015. Since then, the EBIT has delivered many pilot beams of stable isotopes and several rare-isotope beams. An operating aspect of the ReA EBIT is the breeding of high charge states to reach high reaccelerated beam energies. Efficiencies in single charge states of more than 20% were measured with ${^{39}\mathrm{K}}^{15+}$, ${^{85}\mathrm{Rb}}^{27+}$, ${^{47}\mathrm{K}}^{17+}$, and ${^{34}\mathrm{Ar}}^{15+}$. Producing high charge states demands long breeding times. This reduces the ejection frequency and, hence, increases the number of ions ejected per pulse. Another operating aspect is the ability to spread the distribution in time of the ejected ion pulses to lower the instantaneous rate delivered to experiments. Pulse widths were stretched from a natural $25\text{ }\text{ }\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{s}$ up to $\ensuremath{\sim}70\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{ms}$. This publication reviews the progress of the ReA EBIT system over the years and presents the results of charge-breeding efficiency measurements and pulse-stretching tests obtained with stable- and rare-isotope beams. Studies performed with high sensitivity to identify and quantify stable-isotope contaminants from the EBIT are also presented, along with a novel method for purifying beams.

A Coulomb-excitation reorientation-effect measurement using the TIGRESS γ−ray spectrometer at the TRIUMF/ISAC II facility has permitted the determination of the 〈 2 1 + ‖ E 2 ˆ ‖ 2 1 + 〉 diagonal matrix element in 12C from particle−γ coincidence data and state-of-the-art no-core shell model calculations of the nuclear polarizability. The nuclear polarizability for the ground and first-excited (2 1 + ) states in 12C have been calculated using chiral NN N4LO500 and NN+3NF350 interactions, which show convergence and agreement with photo-absorption cross-section data. Predictions show a change in the nuclear polarizability with a substantial increase between the ground state and first excited 2 1 + state at 4.439 MeV. The polarizability of the 2 1 + state is introduced into the current and previous Coulomb-excitation reorientation-effect analyses of 12C. Spectroscopic quadrupole moments of Q S ( 2 1 + ) = + 0.053 ( 44 ) eb and Q S ( 2 1 + ) = + 0.08 ( 3 ) eb are determined, respectively, yielding a weighted average of Q S ( 2 1 + ) = + 0.071 ( 25 ) eb, in agreement with recent ab initio calculations. The present measurement confirms that the 2 1 + state of 12C is oblate and emphasizes the important role played by the nuclear polarizability in Coulomb-excitation studies of light nuclei.

The excited states of the proton emitter Lu151 were reinvestigated in a recoil-decay tagging experiment at the Accelerator Laboratory of the University of Jyvaskyla (JYFL). The level scheme built on the ground state of Lu151 was updated with five new γ-ray transitions. Large-scale shell model calculations were carried out in the model space consisting of the neutron and proton orbitals 0g7/2, 1d5/2, 1d3/2, 2s1/2, and 0h11/2 with the optimized monopole interaction in order to interpret the experimental level scheme of Lu151. It is found that the excitation energies of states above the 27/2- and 23/2+ isomeric levels in Lu151 can be sensitive to excitations from g7/2 and d5/2 to single-particle orbitals above N=Z=64.

A new method has been developed to detect and identify isomeric states produced in intermediate beam-energy reactions with secondary radioactive beams. Event-by-event identification of the reaction products allows for an unambiguous assignment of isomeric states to certain nuclei produced in fragmentation reactions. This versatile device allows for the identification of isomeric states with lifetimes between 100 ns and several ms. Combined prompt and delayed γ-ray spectroscopy give detailed information on the level schemes of exotic nuclei. This is particularly important in measurements of exclusive reaction cross-sections to several final states in the residue nucleus.

We report $B(E2;{0}_{1}^{+}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{2}_{n}^{+})$ strengths for the neutron-rich $^{88,90}\mathrm{Kr}$ and $^{86}\mathrm{Se}$ isotopes from intermediate-energy Coulomb excitation. The electric quadrupole transition strengths to the first ${2}^{+}$ states complete, with considerably improved uncertainties, the evolution of quadrupole collectivity in the Kr and Se isotopes approaching $N=60$, for which $^{90}\mathrm{Kr}$ and $^{86}\mathrm{Se}$ had previously been the most uncertain. We also report significant excitation strength to several higher-lying ${2}^{+}$ states in the krypton isotopes. This fragmentation of $B(E2)$ strength in $^{88,90}\mathrm{Kr}$ confirms shell-model calculations in the $\ensuremath{\pi}(fpg)\text{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\nu}(sdgh)$ shell with an only minimally tuned shell-model setup that is based on a nucleon-nucleon interaction derived from effective field theory and effective charges adjusted to $^{86}\mathrm{Kr}$.

Author(s): Richard, AL; Crawford, HL; Fallon, P; Macchiavelli, AO; Bader, VM; Bazin, D; Bowry, M; Campbell, CM; Carpenter, MP; Clark, RM; Cromaz, M; Gade, A; Ideguchi, E; Iwasaki, H; Jones, MD; Langer, C; Lee, IY; Loelius, C; Lunderberg, E; Morse, C; Rissanen, J; Salathe, M; Smalley, D; Stroberg, SR; Weisshaar, D; Whitmore, K; Wiens, A; Williams, SJ; Wimmer, K; Yamamato, T | Abstract: The "island of inversion" at N≈20 for the neon, sodium, and magnesium isotopes has long been an area of interest both experimentally and theoretically due to the subtle competition between 0p-0h and np-nh configurations leading to deformed shapes. However, the presence of rotational band structures, which are fingerprints of deformed shapes, have only recently been observed in this region. In this work, we report on a measurement of the low-lying level structure of Mg33 populated by a two-stage projectile fragmentation reaction and studied with the Gamma Ray Energy Tracking In-Beam Nuclear Array (GRETINA). The experimental level energies, ground-state magnetic moment, intrinsic quadrupole moment, and γ-ray intensities show good agreement with the strong-coupling limit of a rotational model.

The electromagnetic dipole strength in Be 11 between the bound states has been measured using low-energy projectile Coulomb excitation at bombarding energies of 1.73 and 2.09 MeV/nucleon on a Pt 196 target. An electric dipole transition probability B ( E 1 ; 1 / 2 − → 1 / 2 + ) = 0.102 ( 2 ) e 2 fm 2 was determined using the semi-classical code Gosia, and a value of 0.098 ( 4 ) e 2 fm 2 was determined using the Extended Continuum Discretized Coupled Channels method with the quantum mechanical code FRESCO. These extracted B ( E 1 ) values are consistent with the average value determined by a model-dependent analysis of intermediate energy Coulomb excitation measurements and are approximately 14 % lower than that determined by a lifetime measurement. The much-improved precisions of 2% and 4% in the measured B ( E 1 ) values between the bound states deduced using Gosia and the Extended Continuum Discretized Coupled Channels method, respectively, compared to the previous accuracy of ∼ 10 % will help in our understanding of and better improve the realistic inter-nucleon interactions.

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 wave-function composition for the low-lying states in 29 Na was explored by measuring their electromagnetic properties using the Coulomb-excitation technique. A beam of 29 Na ions, postaccelerated to 70 MeV, bombarded a 110 Pd target with a rate of up to 600 particles per second at the recently commissioned ISAC-II facility at TRIUMF. Six segmented HPGe clover detectors of the TIGRESS γ -ray spectrometer were used to detect deexcitation γ rays in coincidence with scattered or recoiling charged particles in the segmented silicon detector, BAMBINO. The reduced transition matrix element | 〈 5 2 1 + | | E 2 | | 3 2 gs + 〉 | in 29 Na was derived to be 0.237(21) e b from the measured γ -ray yields for both projectile and target. This first-time measured value is consistent with the most recent Monte Carlo shell-model calculation, indicating a significant admixture of both sd and pf components in the wave function, and also providing evidence for the narrowing of the neutron s d – p f shell gap from ∼ 6 MeV for stable nuclei to ∼ 3 MeV for 29 Na.

The neutron-unbound nucleus $^{13}\mathrm{Be}$ was populated with a nucleon exchange reaction from a 71 MeV/u secondary $^{13}\mathrm{B}$ beam. The decay-energy spectrum was reconstructed using invariant mass spectroscopy based on $^{12}\mathrm{Be}$ fragments in coincidence with neutrons. The data could be described with an $s$-wave resonance at ${E}_{r}=0.73(9)\phantom{\rule{4.pt}{0ex}}\mathrm{MeV}$ with a width of ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}}_{r}=1.98(34)\phantom{\rule{4.pt}{0ex}}\mathrm{MeV}$ and a $d$-wave resonance at ${E}_{r}=2.56(13)\phantom{\rule{4.pt}{0ex}}\mathrm{MeV}$ with a width of ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}}_{r}=2.29(73)\phantom{\rule{4.pt}{0ex}}\mathrm{MeV}$. The observed spectral shape is consistent with previous one-proton removal reaction measurements from $^{14}\mathrm{B}$.

International audience; Analyses of data from both deep inelastic reactions at Argonne National Laboratory and single-and multiple-particle knockout reactions at Michigan State University revealed new gamma-ray transitions in even-even Ni-66,68,70,72(38,40,42,44) and in Co-67(40) that provide strong evidence for multiple shape coexistence at N = 38 and 40 and deep prolate minima in Ni-70(42) and isotonic Cu-71(42). A new transition at 642 keV is proposed for Ni-66 as the prolate 2(+) to 0(+) transition. Two new transitions in Ni-72 at 915 and 1225 keV were identified in the knock-out reaction study and could represent de-population of prolate states. Taken together with recent theoretical work using the Monte Carlo shell model, a well defined region of shape coexistence can be seen existing precisely between 38

The nuclear structure of $^{124}\mathrm{Xe}$ has been investigated via measurements of the ${\ensuremath{\beta}}^{+}$/EC decay of $^{124}\mathrm{Cs}$ with the $8\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray spectrometer at the TRIUMF-ISAC facility. The data collected have enabled branching ratio measurements of weak, low-energy transitions from highly excited states, and the ${2}^{+}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{0}^{+}$ in-band transitions have been observed. Combining these results with those from a previous Coulomb excitation study, $B(E2;{2}_{3}^{+}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{0}_{2}^{+})=78(13)$ W.u. and $B(E2;{2}_{4}^{+}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{0}_{3}^{+})=53(12)$ W.u. were determined. The ${0}_{3}^{+}$ state, in particular, is interpreted as the main fragment of the proton-pairing vibrational band identified in a previous $^{122}\mathrm{Te}$($^{3}\mathrm{He},n$)$^{124}\mathrm{Xe}$ measurement, and has quadrupole collectivity equal to, within uncertainty, that of the ground-state band.

The structure of semi-magic Ni-70(28)42 was investigated following complementary multinucleon-transfer and secondary fragmentation reactions. Changes to the higher-spin, presumed negative-parity states based on observed gamma-ray coincidence relationships result in better agreement with shell-model calculations using effective interactions in the neutron f(5/2)pg(9/2) model space. The second 2(+) and (4(+)) states, however, can only be successfully described when proton excitations across the Z = 28 shell gap are included. Monte Carlo shell-model calculations suggest that the latter two states are part of a prolate-deformed intruder sequence, establishing an instance of shape coexistence at low excitation energies similar to that observed recently in neighboring Ni-68.

Shell evolution is studied in the neutron-rich silicon isotopes 36,38,40 Si using neutron single-particle strengths deduced from one-neutron knockout reactions. Configurations involving neutron excita- tions across the N = 20 and N = 28 shell gaps are quantified experimentally in these rare isotopes. Comparisons with shell model calculations show that the tensor force, understood to drive the col- lective behavior in 42 Si with N = 28, is already important in determining the structure of 40 Si with N = 26. New data relating to cross-shell excitations provide the first quantitative support for repulsive contributions to the cross-shell T = 1 interaction arising from three-nucleon forces.

The doubly magic N = Z nucleus 56Ni has been investigated with two fusion-evaporation reactions; 40Ca(28Si, 3α)56Ni at a beam energy of 122MeV and 28Si(32S, 2p2n)56Ni at 130MeV. To detect γ-rays in coincidence with evaporated particles the Ge-detector array Gammasphere was used in conjunction with the charged-particle detector system, Microball and a 1π neutron detector array. Results include a significantly extended level scheme of 56Ni, which is compared to large-scale shell model calculations in the fp shell. The experimental and theoretical results agree to a large extent, with one notable exception; the theoretical model fails to predict the proper sequence of the yrast and yrare 8+ states.

In recent years, the exploitation of the iecoil-decay tagging (RDT) technique with,large arrays of germanium detectors has revealed much information about the structure of heavy nuclei approaching the proton drip line. The yrast bands of the N

Several nuclei in the A ∼ 190 region have been studied following deep-inelastic reactions using a 460 MeV 82 Se projectile impinging upon a thick 192 Os target. The GASP array (at the Legnaro National Laboratory in Italy) was used to measure the resulting γ-decays. The previously reported near-yrast structure of 191 Os is extended to a t 1 /2= 61 ns isomer, at an energy of 2640 keV. Branching ratios for ΔI = 1 and A/ = 2 transitions in the K π = 11/2 + band have been measured, giving |(g K - g R )/Q 0 | = 0.022(3) and 0.024(7) for transitions from the 17/2 + and (19/2 + ) states respectively. These are consistent with the theoretical calculation for the proposed v11/2 + [615] configuration of the band. Nilsson plus BCS calculations reveal that the isomer is likely to have a {v11/2 + [615] ⊗ π11/2-[505] ⊗ π9/2-[514]} configuration with J π = K π = 31/2 + . This yields an implied reduced hindrance of f v = 1.9, in accordance with empirical systematics of K isomers in the A ∼ 180-190 region.

The yrast sequence of the neutron-rich dysprosium isotope {sup 168}Dy has been studied using multinucleon transfer reactions following collisions between a 460-MeV {sup 82}Se beam and an {sup 170}Er target. The reaction products were identified using the PRISMA magnetic spectrometer and the gamma rays detected using the CLARA HPGe-detector array. The 2{sup +} and 4{sup +} members of the previously measured ground-state rotational band of {sup 168}Dy have been confirmed and the yrast band extended up to 10{sup +}. A tentative candidate for the 4{sup +}->2{sup +} transition in {sup 170}Dy was also identified. The data on these nuclei and on the lighter even-even dysprosium isotopes are interpreted in terms of total Routhian surface calculations and the evolution of collectivity in the vicinity of the proton-neutron valence product maximum is discussed.

In this overview, some latest results from gamma-ray spectroscopic studies of high spin states of isobaric multiplets will be presented. An experimental programme is underway to examine exited states of isobaric multiplets of total isospin T=1/2 and T=1 and the comparison of energies of excited states can be interpreted in terms of Coulomb effects. Through a systematic study of these Coulomb effects, and through examination of the calculated Coulomb energies from full pf-shell model calculations, it is now becoming clear that measurement of Coulomb energies can yield very detailed information on the evolution of nuclear structure phenomena as a function of energy and angular momentum. In this contribution, latest results of studies of isobaric analogue states at high spin in the A=50, 51 and 53 systems will be presented.

The structure of the neutron-rich silicon isotopes Si36,38,40 was studied by one-neutron and one-proton knockout reactions at intermediate beam energies. We construct level schemes for the knockout residues Si35,37,39 and Al35,37,39 and compare knockout cross sections to the predictions of an eikonal model in conjunction with large-scale shell-model calculations. The agreement of these calculations with the present experiment lends support to the microscopic explanation of the enhanced collectivity in the region of Si42. We also present an empirical method for reproducing the observed low-momentum tails in the parallel momentum distributions of knockout residues.

The reaction mechanisms of the two-neutron transfer reaction ${}^{12}$C(${}^{6}$He,${}^{4}$He) have been studied at ${E}_{\mathrm{lab}}=30$ MeV at the TRIUMF ISAC-II facility using the Silicon Highly-segmented Array for Reactions and Coulex (SHARC) charged-particle detector array. Optical potential parameters have been extracted from the analysis of the elastic scattering angular distribution. The new potential has been applied to the study of the transfer angular distribution to the 2${}_{2}^{+}$ 8.32 MeV state in ${}^{14}$C, using a realistic three-body ${}^{6}$He model and advanced shell-model calculations for the carbon structure, allowing to calculate the relative contributions of the simultaneous and sequential two-neutron transfer. The reaction model provides a good description of the 30-MeV data set and shows that the simultaneous process is the dominant transfer mechanism. Sensitivity tests of optical potential parameters show that the final results can be considerably affected by the choice of optical potentials. A reanalysis of data measured previously at ${E}_{\mathrm{lab}}=18$ MeV, however, is not as well described by the same reaction model, suggesting that one needs to include higher-order effects in the reaction mechanism.

Long-lived isomers in 212Bi have been studied following 238U projectile fragmentation at 670 MeV per nucleon. The fragmentation products were injected as highly charged ions into the GSI storage ring, giving access to masses and half-lives. While the excitation energy of the first isomer of 212Bi was confirmed, the second isomer was observed at 1478(30) keV, in contrast to the previously accepted value of >1910 keV. It was also found to have an extended Lorentz-corrected in-ring halflife >30 min, compared to 7.0(3) min for the neutral atom. Both the energy and half-life differences can be understood as being due a substantial, though previously unrecognised, internal decay branch for neutral atoms. Earlier shell-model calculations are now found to give good agreement with the isomer excitation energy. Furthermore, these and new calculations predict the existence of states at slightly higher energy that could facilitate isomer de-excitation studies., published in PRL 110, 122502

The low-spin level scheme of ${}^{68}$Ni was investigated following two-neutron-knockout and multinucleon-transfer reactions. The energy of the first excited state was determined to be ${E}_{x}({0}_{2}^{+})=1603.5(3)$ keV. Relative $B(E2)$ transition probabilities were deduced and compared with shell-model calculations using several modern effective interactions. Theory reproduces the data well, but indicates substantial mixing of multi-particle, multi-hole configurations for the lowest observed ${0}^{+}$ and ${2}^{+}$ states.

The highly-efficient and segmented TIGRESS gamma-ray spectrometer at TRIUMF has been used to perform a reorientation-effect Coulomb-excitation study of the 2(1)(+) state at 3.368 MeV in Be-10. This is the first Coulomb-excitation measurement that enables one to obtain information on diagonal matrix elements for such a high-lying first excited state from gamma-ray data. With the availability of accurate lifetime data, a value of -0.110 +/- 0.087 eb is determined for the diagonal matrix element, which assuming the rotor model, leads to a negative spectroscopic quadrupole moment of Q(S)(2(1)(+)) = -0.083 +/- 0.066 eb. This result is in agreement with both no-core shell-model calculations performed in this work with the CD-Bonn 2000 two-nucleon potential and large shell-model spaces, and Green's function Monte Carlo predictions with two-plus three-nucleon potentials.

The cross section for the knock-out of a deeply bound valence neutron from ${}^{37}$Ca at an incident beam energy of $60A\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{MeV}$ has been measured along with momentum distributions of the residual nuclei and $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays from the de-excitation of the first excited state in ${}^{36}$Ca. As for other cases of deeply bound nucleons studied using knock-out reactions, the reduction of the measured cross section compared to theoretical predictions is stronger than those observed for near-magic stable nuclei. Both the momentum distributions and the excitation energy of the first excited state in ${}^{36}$Ca indicate a sizable $N=16$ gap.

High-spin states in the odd-odd N = Z nucleus Co-54 have been investigated by the fusion-evaporation reaction Si-28(S-32,1 alpha 1p1n)Co-54. Gamma-ray information gathered with the Ge detector array Gammasphere was correlated with evaporated particles detected in the charged particle detector system Microball and a 1 pi neutron detector array. A significantly extended excitation scheme of Co-54 is presented, which includes a candidate for the isospin T = 1, 6(+) state of the 1f(7/2)(-2) multiplet. The results are compared to large-scale shell-model calculations in the fp shell. Effective interactions with and without isospin-breaking terms have been used to probe isospin symmetry and isospin mixing. A quest for deformed high-spin rotational cascades proved negative. This feature is discussed by means of cranking calculations. (Less)

International audience; Two rotational bands have been identified and characterized in the proton-magic N = Z + 1 nucleus 57 Ni. These bands complete the systematics of well- and superdeformed rotational bands in the light nickel isotopes starting from doubly-magic 56 Ni to 60 Ni. High-spin states in 57 Ni have been produced in the fusion-evaporation reaction 28 Si(32 S, 2p1n) 57 Ni and studied with the γ-ray detection array Gammasphere operated in conjunction with detectors for evaporated light charged particles and neutrons. The features of the rotational bands in 57 Ni are compared to those of neighbouring isotopes and interpreted by means of configurationdependent cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky calculations. The two observed high-spin bands are considered signature partners and assigned to configurations with one 1g 9/2 proton and one 1g 9/2 neutron, resulting in an unambiguous understanding of the energetically favoured signature α = −1/2 band but a somewhat less satisfactory description of the signature α = +1/2 band.

The low-energy structure of the proton dripline nucleus {sup 20}Na has been studied using Coulomb excitation at the TRIUMF-ISAC radioactive ion beam facility. A 1.7-MeV/nucleon {sup 20}Na beam of {approx}5x10{sup 6} ions/s was Coulomb excited by a 0.5-mg/cm{sup 2nat}Ti target. Scattered beam and target particles were detected by the BAMBINO segmented Si detector while {gamma} rays were detected by two TIGRESS HPGe clover detectors set perpendicular to the beam axis. Coulomb excitation from the 2{sup +} ground state to the first excited 3{sup +} and 4{sup +} states was observed, and B({lambda}L) values were determined using the 2{sup +}{yields}0{sup +} de-excitation in {sup 48}Ti as a reference. The resulting B({lambda}L){down_arrow} values are B(E2;3{sup +}{yields}2{sup +})=55{+-}6 e{sup 2} fm{sup 4} (17.0{+-}1.9 W.u.), B(E2;4{sup +}{yields}2{sup +})=35.7{+-}5.7 e{sup 2} fm{sup 4} (11.1{+-}1.8 W.u.), and B(M1;4{sup +}{yields}3{sup +})=0.154{+-}0.030 {mu}{sub N}{sup 2} (0.086{+-}0.017 W.u.). These measurements provide the first experimental determination of B({lambda}L) values for this proton dripline nucleus of astrophysical interest.

The low-energy structures of the radioactive nuclei 20, 21Na have been examined using Coulomb excitation at the TRIUMF-ISAC radioactive ion beam facility. Beams of ∼ 5×106 ions/s were accelerated to 1.7MeV/A and Coulomb excited in a 0.5mg/cm^2 natTi target. Two TIGRESS HPGe clover detectors perpendicular to the beam axis were used for $ \gamma$ -ray detection, while scattered nuclei were observed by the Si detector BAMBINO. For 21Na , Coulomb excitation from the 3/2+ ground state to the first excited 5/2+ state was observed, while for 20Na , Coulomb excitation was observed from the 2+ ground state to the first excited 3+ and 4+ states. For both beams, B ( $ \lambda$ L) values were determined using the 2+ $ \rightarrow$ 0+ de-excitation in 48Ti as a reference. The resulting B(E2) ↓ value for 21Na is 137±9 e^2fm^4, while the resulting B( $ \lambda$ L) ↓ values for 20Na are 55±6 e^2fm^4 for the 3+ $ \rightarrow$ 2+ , 35.7±5.7 e^2 fm^4 for the 4+ $ \rightarrow$ 2+ , and 0.154±0.030 μ_N^2 for the 4+ $ \rightarrow$ 3+ transitions. This analysis significantly improves the measurement of the 21Na B(E2) value, and provides the first experimental determination of B( $ \lambda$ L) values for the proton dripline nucleus 20Na .-1

Time-resolved Schottky mass spectrometry has been applied to uranium projectile fragments which yielded the mass value for the Hg-208 (Z=80, N=128) isotope. The mass excess value of ME=-13 265(31) keV has been obtained, which has been used to determine the proton-neutron interaction strength in Pb-210, as a double difference of atomic masses. The results show a dramatic variation of the strength for lead isotopes when crossing the N=126 neutron shell closure, thus confirming the empirical predictions that this interaction strength is sensitive to the overlap of the wave functions of the last valence neutrons and protons.

The low-energy structures of the mirror nuclei {sup 21}Ne and radioactive {sup 21}Na have been examined by using Coulomb excitation at the TRIUMF-ISAC radioactive ion beam facility. Beams of {approx}5x10{sup 6} ions/s were accelerated to 1.7 MeV/A and Coulomb excited in a 0.5 mg/cm{sup 2} {sup nat}Ti target. Scattered beam and target particles were detected by the segmented Si detector BAMBINO, while {gamma} rays were observed by using two TIGRESS HPGe clover detectors perpendicular to the beam axis. For each isobar, Coulomb excitation from the (3/2){sup +} ground state to the first excited (5/2){sup +} state was observed and B(E2) values were determined by using the 2{sup +}{yields}0{sup +} de-excitation in {sup 48}Ti as a reference. The {phi} segmentation of BAMBINO was used to deduce tentative assignments for the signs of the mixing ratios between the E2 and M1 components of the transitions. The resulting B(E2){up_arrow} values are 131{+-}9 e{sup 2} fm{sup 4} (25.4{+-}1.7 W.u.) for {sup 21}Ne and 205{+-}14 e{sup 2} fm{sup 4} (39.7{+-}2.7 W.u.) for {sup 21}Na. The fit to the present data and the known lifetimes determined E2/M1 mixing ratios and B(M1){down_arrow} values of {delta}=(-)0.0767{+-}0.0027 and 0.1274{+-}0.0025 {mu}{sub N}{sup 2} and {delta}=(+)0.0832{+-}0.0028 and 0.1513{+-}0.0017 {mu}{sub N}{sup 2} more » for {sup 21}Ne and {sup 21}Na, respectively (with Krane and Steffen sign convention). By using the effective charges e{sub p}=1.5e and e{sub n}=0.5e, the B(E2) values produced by the p-sd shell model are 30.7 and 36.4 W.u. for {sup 21}Ne and {sup 21}Na, respectively. This analysis resolves a significant discrepancy between a previous experimental result for {sup 21}Na and shell-model calculations. « less

Isomers in near-spherical Z = 51, antimony isotopes are reported here for the first time using fusion-fission reactions between Al-27 and a pulsed Hf-178 beam of energy, 1150 MeV. gamma rays were observed from the decay of isomeric states with half-lives, T-1/2 = 200(30) and 52(3) mu s, and angular momenta I = (25/2) and I-pi = 23(+)/2, in Sb-121,Sb-123, respectively. These states are proposed to correspond to nu(h(11/2))(2) configurations, coupled to an odd d(5/2) or g(7/2) proton. Nanosecond isomers were also identified at I-pi = 19(-)/2 [T-1/2 = 8.5(5) ns] in Sb-121 and I-pi = (15(-)/2) [T-1/2 = 37(4) ns] in Sb-123. Information on spins and parities of states in these nuclei was obtained using a combination of angular correlation and intensity-balance measurements. The configurations of states in these nuclei are discussed using a combination of spin/energy systematics and shell-model calculations for neighboring tin isotones and antimony isotopes.

A previously unreported isomer has been identified in Mo-99 at an excitation energy of E-x = 3010 keV, decaying with a half-life of T-1/2 = 8(2) ns. The nucleus of interest was produced following fusion-fission reactions between a thick Al-27 target frame and a Hf-178 beam at a laboratory energy of 1150 MeV. This isomeric state is interpreted as an energetically favored, maximally aligned configuration of nu h (11/2) circle times pi(g (9/2))(2).

International audience; States in 26Na were populated in the (d, pγ) reaction, induced by bombarding deuterium target nuclei with an intense reaccelerated beam of 25Na ions from the ISAC2 accelerator at TRIUMF. Gamma-rays were recorded in coincidence with protons and used to extract differential cross sections for 21 states up to the neutron decay threshold of 5 MeV. Results for levels below 3 MeV are discussed in detail and compared with shell model calculations and with previous work. The angular distributions of decay gamma-rays were measured for individual states and are compared to theoretically calculated distributions, highlighting some issues for future work.

High-spin states in 58Ni have been investigated by means of the fusion-evaporation reaction 28Si(32S, 2p)58Ni at 130 MeV beam energy. Discrete-energy levels are observed in 58Ni at record-breaking 42 MeV excitation energy and angular momenta in excess of 30h. The states form regular rotational bands with unprecedented high rotational frequencies. A comparison with configuration dependent cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky calculations reveals an exceptional two-band crossing scenario, the interaction strength of which is strongly shape dependent.

Gamma-ray and conversion-electron spectroscopy have established the existence of a 2.29(1) s, K{sup {pi}}=0{sup +}, isomeric state in neutron-rich {sup 174}Tm. The isomer deexcites via 100- and 152-keV electromagnetic transitions. First results from a newly commissioned Si(Li) detector array have established their M1 and E3 multipolarities, respectively. The single-particle configurations of the excited states suggest that the E3 transition originates from a {pi}h{sub 11/2}{sup -1}{yields}{pi}d{sub 3/2} configuration change, whereas the M1 transition occurs between members of a Gallaghar-Moszkowski doublet. From the measured half-life, the deduced B(E3) value of 0.024(2) W.u. is highly hindered. The reported measurements resolve ambiguities in the previously proposed {beta} decay scheme of {sup 174}Er to {sup 174}Tm.

High-spin states in the proton-rich nucleus 45V have been identified for the first time. A comprehensive gamma-ray decay scheme has been established following an experiment performed at the Vivitron accelerator at IReS Strasbourg by using the Euroball gamma-ray detector array coupled to the Neutron Wall and Euclides detector arrays. The natural (negative-) parity scheme is identified up to the f7/2 band termination in addition to a positive-parity collective structure based on a d3/2 particle-hole excitation. Comparison of this scheme with that of the mirror partner, 45Ti, has yielded detailed information on the variation of Coulomb energy as a function of excitation energy and angular momentum. This is the first time that such an analysis has been performed for a collective structure built on a cross-shell excitation. Comparison of the observed Coulomb energies with those predicted by large-scale shell-model calculations is presented. In this case, unusually, the calculations do not fare as well as for heavier nuclei in the shell. In addition, stark differences between the two nuclei are observed for the decay intensities of the parity-changing E1 decays that de-excite the positive-parity deformed bands.

Fusion‐fission reactions were induced by bombarding a thick 27Al target with 178Hf projectiles at a laboratory energy of 1150 MeV using the ATLAS accelerator at Argonne National Laboratory. The subsequent γ‐ray decays were measured using the GAMMASPHERE germanium detector array. The beam was pulsed at two different ON/OFF cycles of 82.5/825 ns and 25/75 μs in order to observe the γ rays from the decay of isomeric states. In 121Sb 2721+Δ keV, Iπ=(25/2+) and 2434 keV, Iπ=19/2− states have measured half‐lives of T1/2=200(30) μs and 8.2(2) ns respectively. The 2614+Δ keV, Iπ=(27/2+) and 2486 keV, Iπ=19/2+ states in 123Sb have measured half‐lives of T1/2=52(3) μs and 7.9(4) ns respectively. The positive parity isomers in these nuclei correspond to a πd5/2 or πg7/2 configuration, in 121Sb and 123Sb respectively, coupled to aligned (h11/2)2 neutrons. The Iπ=19/2− isomeric state in 121Sb is proposed to have a νh11/2 ⊗ νd3/2 ⊗ πd5/2 configuration. A previously unobserved isomer has been identified in 99Mo at an en...

Near‐yrast states have been identified in the stable 91,92Zr isotopes using the fusion evaporation reaction 82Se(13C,xn)95−xZr at an incident beam energy of 50 MeV. Gamma‐ray spectroscopy of states above the reported τ = 6 μs, Iπ=212+ isomer in 91Zr are reported for the first time with consequences for stimulating new shell model calculations which incorporate either the breaking of the N=50 shell closure and/or the inclusion of the negative parity h11/2 neutron intruder orbital.

International audience; An experiment was performed to extend the knowledge of excited states in neutron-deficient Ca isotopes. In particular, excited states in $^{36}$Ca were searched for to allow for a comparison with its stable mirror nucleus, $^{36}$S. Secondary beams of $^{37}$Ca and $^{36}$Ca were produced by fragmentation of a primary $^{40}$Ca beam with an energy of 95 · A MeV on the SISSI target at GANIL. A variety of nuclei around $^{36}$Ca has been produced in a secondary Be target by neutron and proton-removal at beam energies around 61 · A MeV. The produced nuclei were identified using the spectrometer SPEG, and prompt $\gamma$ rays were measured with the Château de Cristal. A preliminary value for the energy of the first $2^+$ state of $^{36}$Ca has been determined.