Search

High-spin states in the neutron-deficient nucleus In-107 were studied via the Ni-58(Cr-52,3p) reaction. In-beam gamma rays were measured using the JUROGAM detector array. A rotational cascade consisting of ten gamma-ray transitions, which decays to the 19/2(+) level at 2.002 MeV, was observed. The band exhibits the features typical for smooth terminating bands that also appear in rotational bands of heavier nuclei in the A similar to 100 region. The results are compared with total Routhian surface and cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky calculations.

Lifetimes of excited states in $^{182}\mathrm{Hg}$ were extracted from recoil-gated $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray spectra and recoil-gated $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\gamma}$-coincidence matrices using the recoil distance Doppler-shift method. States were populated using the $^{96}\mathrm{Mo}$($^{88}\mathrm{Sr}$,$2n$)$^{182}\mathrm{Hg}$ fusion-evaporation reaction. Measured lifetimes allowed transition probabilities, transition quadrupole moments, quadrupole deformation parameters, and transition dipole moments to be deduced for the band formed by the odd-spin yrast states. The experimental results confirm the low degree of octupole collectivity in this mass region.

Decay paths, half-lives, and excitation energies of the i(13/2) bandheads of the neutron-deficient nuclei Pt-171, Os-167, and W-163 have been established for the first time. Gamma-ray transitions, ...

WOS: 000274002700019, Excited states in the neutron-deficient nuclide W-163 were investigated using the Cd-106(Ni-60, 2pn)W-163 reaction at a beam energy of 270 MeV. The level scheme for W-163 was extended significantly with the observation of five new band structures. The yrast band based on a 13/2(+) isomeric state is extended up to (57/2(+)). Two band structures were established on the 7/2(-) ground state. Quasiparticle configuration assignments for the new band structures were made on the basis of cranked Woods-Saxon shell-model calculations. The results reported in this article suggest that the negative-parity nu(f(7/2), h(9/2)) orbitals are responsible for the first rotational alignment in the yrast band., UK Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC); EU [506065]; Academy of Finland; Swedish Research Council [111965]; C. S. [209430]; Science and Technology Facilities Council [EP/C015266/1, EP/C015371/1, ST/G008620/1, ST/J000108/1, ST/F012039/1, EP/C543157/1, ST/G008671/1], Financial support for this work has been provided by the UK Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), the EU sixth Framework Programme, Integrating Infrastructure Initiative-Transnational Access, (EURONS, Contract No. 506065), the Academy of Finland under the Finnish Centre of Excellence Programme 2006-2011, and by the Swedish Research Council. P. T. G. (Contract No. 111965) and C. S. (Contract No. 209430) acknowledge the support of the Academy of Finland. We thank the UK/France (STFC/IN2P3) Loan Pool and the GAMMAPOOL European Spectroscopy Resource for the loan of detectors for JUROGAM and GSI for the loan of the VEGA detectors. The authors express their gratitude to the staff of the Accelerator Laboratory at the University of Jyvaskyla a for their excellent technical support. The authors also thank Paul Morrall of Daresbury Laboratory for preparation of the Cd targets.

We report the influence of (NH4)2S and NH4OH surface treatments prior to SiO2 capping and subsequent rapid thermal annealing, on optical properties of GaInAsN/GaAs quantum-well (QW) structures. We observed an increase in QW photoluminescence (PL) emission for the (NH4)2S treated samples as compared to the untreated sample. After annealing, also the NH4OH treated sample showed significant improvement in PL. The treatments were also found to decrease the In out-diffusion and reduce the blueshift upon annealing. The PL results are discussed with x-ray diffraction and x-ray photoemission data from SiO2/GaAs, in particular, with changes found in Ga 3d spectra.

Contactless electroreflectance (CER) has been applied to study band bending in Be-doped GaInNAs/GaAs quantum wells (QWs). It has been shown that (i) the sign of GaAs-related CER signal changes from positive to negative due to Be-doping and (ii) QW-related CER resonances disappear for Be-doped QWs whereas they are clearly observed for un-doped QWs. The two observations indicate a Be-related shift in the Fermi level above the hole levels in the QW region, i.e., the change in band bending in this system. The results point out that the experimentally-observed enhancement in QW photoluminescence upon Be-doping is associated with a better collection/confinement of photogenerated carriers by the Be-doped GaInNAs QW.

For the first time, excited states in {sup 185}Pb have been observed in in-beam {gamma}-ray spectroscopic measurements using the recoil-decay tagging method. The resulting level scheme reveals a strongly coupled yrast band structure that originates from coupling of the i{sub 13/2} quasineutron to a prolate deformed core. The band is also observed to de-excite via the spherical {alpha}-decaying 13/2{sup +}isomeric state.

In-beam gamma-ray and conversion electron spectroscopic studies have been performed on the 253 No nucleus. A strongly coupled rotational band has been identified and the improved statistics allows an assignment of the band structure as built on the $\ensuremath 9/2^-[734]_{\nu}$ ground state. The results agree with previously known transition energies but disagree with the tentative structural assignments made in earlier work.

Excited states of the nucleus Os-167 have been populated by the reaction Mo-92(Kr-78,2pn). The JUROGAM gamma-ray detector array has been used in conjunction with the RITU gas-filled separator and the GREAT spectrometer to observe prompt gamma rays in coincidence with recoiling fusion-evaporation residues and their subsequent decay by alpha particle emission. By correlating prompt gamma radiation with the characteristic alpha radioactivity of Os-167, it has been possible to extend the level scheme for this nucleus significantly. In particular, an extension of the yrast band and four previously unobserved bands are reported. In addition, the recoil distance Doppler-shift method was used to determine a lifetime of tau=20(4) ps for The I-pi=17/2(+) state in Os-167. Hence, the level of collectivity and magnitude of deformation of the low spin yrast band of this nucleus is established. .

The rotational band structure of Lr-255 has been investigated using advanced in-beam gamma-ray spectroscopic techniques. To date, Lr-255 is the heaviest nucleus to be studied in this manner. One ro ...

We have studied beryllium defects in GaAs and GaAsN from first principles, concentrating on the nitrogen effect on the defect formation and the beryllium effect on the nitrogen alloying properties. Due to the small size of both species the defect complexes and clusters take an important role. In particular, we consider the role of the (Be-N) split interstitials and the beryllium interstitials near substitutional beryllium. These are found to be responsible for the charge-carrier compensation in Be-doped GaAsN. Also, any nitrogen tied to the (Be-N) defects is unable to contribute to the conventional GaAsN alloy properties. We also briefly comment on the implications to the beryllium diffusion.

Recoil-isomer tagging has been used to characterize the states built upon an I{sup {pi}}=8{sup +} isomer in {sup 142}Tb. High-spin states of the neutron-deficient nucleus {sup 142}Tb were populated using an {sup 54}Fe beam, accelerated onto a {sup 92}Mo target of thickness {approx}500 {mu}g/cm{sup 2} at energies of 245, 252, and 265 MeV using the K130 cyclotron at the University of Jyvaeskylae, Finland. Use of the JUROGAM target-position Ge-detector array coupled with the GREAT focal-plane spectrometer at the RITU gas-filled recoil separator has significantly increased the efficiency of the isomer-tagging technique. The rotational band built upon the I{sup {pi}}=8{sup +} isomeric state was established with isomer-tagged {gamma}-{gamma} coincidence data and angular distributions were measured for some of the more intensely populated states. Two previously unobserved bands that bypass the isomer were also established. The new data have been interpreted within the framework of the cranked-shell model. The data show good agreement with the calculated triaxial nuclear shape with {gamma}=-30 deg. for the {sup 142m2}Tb isomeric state. The B(M1)/B(E2) branching ratios, nuclear alignment, signature splitting, and reduced transition probability, B(E1), of the isomeric state have been systematically compared with those of the neighboring nuclei. These comparisons give further evidence for themore » {pi}h{sub 11/2} x {nu}h{sub 11/2} configuration of the isomer.« less

An experiment has been performed to populate several extremely neutron-deficient nuclei around the mass-140 region of the nuclear chart, using a beam of {sup 54}Fe on a {sup 92}Mo target at an energy of 315 MeV. Analysis of these data using recoil-isomer tagging has established that the yrast {pi}h{sub 11/2} x {nu}h{sub 11/2},J{sup {pi}}=(8{sup +}), bandhead state in {sup 136}Pm is isomeric with a half-life of 1.5(1) {mu}s. This isomeric state decays via a 43-keV, probable-E1 transition to a J{sup {pi}}=(7{sup -}) state. Consideration of the theoretical Nilsson orbitals near the Fermi surface suggests that the J{sup {pi}}=(8{sup +}) state has a {nu}h{sub 11/2}[505](11/2){sup -} x {pi}h{sub 11/2}[532](5/2){sup -} configuration, which decays to the J{sup {pi}}=(7{sup -}) state with a {nu}h{sub 11/2}[505](11/2){sup -} x {pi}d{sub 5/2}[411](3/2){sup +} configuration. Differences in the shape-driving effects for these two configurations is reasoned to be responsible for the long half-life of the J{sup {pi}}=(8{sup +}) isomeric state. The non-observation of other {gamma} rays in prompt or delayed coincidence with the 43-keV transition suggests that this transition may feed another, longer lived isomeric state with a half-life of the order of milliseconds or greater. However, the present experiment was not sensitive to the decay ofmore » this new J{sup {pi}}=(7{sup -}) state by internal conversion or even {beta} decay.« less

The structure of high-spin and nonyrast states of the transfermium nucleus $^{250}\mathrm{Fm}$ has been studied in detail. The isomeric nature of a two-quasiparticle excitation has been exploited in order to obtain spectroscopic data of exceptional quality. The data allow the configuration of an isomer first discovered over 30 years ago to be deduced, and provide an unambiguous determination of the location of neutron single-particle states in a very heavy nucleus. A comparison to the known two-quasiparticle structure of $^{254,252}\mathrm{No}$ confirms the existence of the deformed shell gaps at $N=152$ and $Z=100$.

Lifetimes of prolate intruder states in 186Pb and 188Pb and oblate intruder states in 194Po have been determined through recoil distance Doppler-shift lifetime measurements. Deformation parameters of | β 2 | = 0.29 ( 5 ) and | β 2 | = 0.17(3) have been extracted from experimental B ( E 2 ) values for the prolate and the oblate bands, respectively. The present study addresses the phenomenon of shape coexistence typical for the nuclei near Z = 82 and N = 104 , providing information on configuration mixing of intrinsic structures of the nuclei of interest. The results are compared with the available lifetime data and theoretical results for neutron-deficient Po, Pb, Hg and Pt nuclei. Furthermore, new self-consistent mean-field calculations have been carried out for 194Po.

Excited states in the highly neutron deficient odd-odd nucleus Ir-170 have been investigated. The experiment was performed using the Sn-112(Ni-60, pn)Ir-170 reaction and employing the recoil-decay ...

Gamma-ray transitions have been identified for the first time in the extremely neutron-deficient (N=Z+2) nucleus {sup 110}Xe, and the energies of the three lowest excited states in the ground-state band have been deduced. The results establish a breaking of the normal trend of increasing first excited 2{sup +} and 4{sup +} level energies as a function of the decreasing neutron number as the N=50 major shell gap is approached for the neutron-deficient Xe isotopes. This unusual feature is suggested to be an effect of enhanced collectivity, possibly arising from isoscalar n-p interactions becoming increasingly important close to the N=Z line.

Gamma rays populating the alpha-decaying isomeric state in Ir-169 have been observed for the first time. The experiment employed the recoil-decay tagging method using the JUROGAM gamma-ray spectrom ...

Very neutron deficient uranium isotopes were produced in fusion evaporation reactions using $^{40}\mathrm{Ar}$ ions on $^{182}\mathrm{W}$ targets. The gas-filled recoil separator RITU was employed to collect the fusion products and to separate them from the scattered beam and other reaction products. The activities were implanted into a position sensitive silicon detector after passing through a gas-counter system. The isotopes were identified using spatial and time correlations between the implants and the decays. Two $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-decaying states, with ${E}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}}=(8612\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}9)$ keV and ${T}_{1/2}=(0.{51}_{\ensuremath{-}0.10}^{+0.17})$ ms for the ground state and ${E}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}}=(10678\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}17)$ keV and ${T}_{1/2}=(0.{56}_{\ensuremath{-}0.14}^{+0.26})$ ms for an isomeric state, were identified in $^{218}\mathrm{U}$. In addition, the half-life and $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-decay energy of $^{219}\mathrm{U}$ were measured with improved precision. The measured decay properties deduced for $^{218}\mathrm{U}$ suggest that there is no subshell closure at $Z=92$.

For the first time, non-yrast structures of the neutron mid-shell nucleus $^{186}\mathrm{Pb}$ have been identified in an in-beam \ensuremath{\gamma}-ray spectroscopy measurement using the recoil-decay tagging technique. The yrast band has been tentatively extended up to ${I}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}=20{}^{+},$ revealing a similar backbend to that observed in the Pt and Hg isotones. Three new bands and several other transitions have been observed. Calculations carried out in the framework of the interacting boson model together with mean-field studies using the generator coordinate method provide arguments for the association of one of the new bands with an oblate shape. The present data also show evidence for octupole and \ensuremath{\gamma}-vibrational bands.

The technique of recoil beta tagging has been developed which allows prompt gamma decays in nuclei from excited states to be correlated with electrons from their subsequent short-lived beta decay. This technique is ideal for studying nuclei very far from stability and improves in sensitivity for very short-lived decays and for high decay Q-values. The method has allowed excited states in 78Y to be observed for the first time, as well as an extension in the knowledge of T=1 states in 74Rb. From this new information it has been possible to compare Coulomb energy differences (CED) between T=1 states in 70Br/70Se, 74Rb/74Kr, and 78Y/78Sr. The A=70 CED exhibit an anomalous behavior which is inconsistent with all other known CED. This behavior may be accounted for qualitatively in terms of small variations in the Coulomb energy arising from shape changes., Comment: 10 pages, 2 figures

An isomeric state at high spin and excitation energy was recently observed in the proton-unbound nucleus 158Ta. This state was observed to decay by both α and γ decay modes. The large spin change r ...

Characteristic K X-rays have been observed in Coulomb-excitation experiments with heavy radioactive-ion beams in the lead region (Z = 82), produced at the REX-ISOLDE facility, and were used to identify the decay of strongly converted transitions as well as monopole 0 2 + → 0 1 + transitions. Different targets were used, and the X-rays were detected by the Miniball γ-ray spectrometer surrounding the target position. A stable mercury isotope, as well as neutron-deficient mercury, lead, polonium, and radon isotopes were studied, and a detailed description of the analysis using the radioactive 182,184,186,188Hg isotopes is presented. Apart from strongly converted transitions originating from the decay of excited states, the heavy-ion induced K-vacancy creation process has been identified as an extra source for K X-ray production. Isolating the atomic component of the observed K X-rays is essential for a correct analysis of the Coulomb-excitation experiment. Cross sections for the atomic reaction have been estimated and are compared to a theoretical approach.

The new neutron-deficient isotopes Rn-193,Rn-194 have been identified in the complete fusion reaction Cr-52+Sm-144 -> Rn-196(*) at the velocity filter SHIP. The alpha-decay energy and half-life value of Rn-194 were determined to be E-alpha=7700(10) keV and T-1/2=0.78(16) ms, respectively. For Rn-193 the half-life of T-1/2=1.15(27) ms and two alpha lines at E-alpha 1=7685(15) keV, I-alpha 1=74(20)% and E-alpha 2=7875(20) keV, I-alpha 2=26(12)% were found. The decay pattern of Rn-193, which is substantially different from that of the heavier odd-A Rn isotopes, provides first experimental evidence for the long-predicted deformation in the very neutron-deficient Rn nuclei.

Lifetimes of prolate intruder states in {sup 186}Pb and oblate intruder states in {sup 194}Po have been determined by employing, for the first time, the recoil-decay tagging technique in recoil distance Doppler-shift lifetime measurements. In addition, lifetime measurements of prolate states in {sup 188}Pb up to the 8{sup +} state were carried out using the recoil-gating method. The B(E2) values have been deduced from which deformation parameters vertical bar {beta}{sub 2} vertical bar =0.29(5) and vertical bar {beta}{sub 2} vertical bar =0.17(3) for the prolate and the oblate bands, respectively, have been extracted. The results also shed new light on the mixing between different shapes.

The yrast states in the light platinum isotopes Pt169-173 have been investigated in a recoil-decay tagging experiment using the JUROGAM gamma-ray spectrometer in conjunction with the RITU gas-filled recoil separator and the GREAT tagging spectrometer. Gamma-ray transitions have been established for the first time in the odd-N isotopes, Pt-169 and Pt-173, and the yrast sequences in Pt-170 and Pt-172 have been extended. We discuss the possibility that the weakly deformed yrast structures of Pt-170, Pt-172, and Pt-173 are crossed by a deformed intruder configuration at spin similar to 8h.

Recoil‐decay tagging technique has been employed in the study of non‐yrast states in 186Pb. High quality γγ‐coincidence data have revealed three new bands and the yrast band has been extended up to Iπ=20+. A low‐lying non‐yrast band provide evidences for an oblate structure.

Tagging with charged particles and γ -rays at the focal plane of recoil separators has proven, over the last two decades, to be a very powerful tool for the identification of excited states in exotic nuclei produced with very low cross-sections. One of the key areas so far unexplored in terms of the tagging methodology has been performing correlations with β -particles at the focal plane of a recoil separator. A new technique entitled Recoil-Beta Tagging (RBT) has been developed, this technique exploits the unusual properties of Fermi super-allowed β emitters, which have both a short half-life ( ∼ 100 ms ) and high β + -endpoint energy. Correlating with such β -particles using a double-sided silicon strip detector and planar germanium detector as an effective Δ E – E telescope for high-energy positrons has allowed a proof-of-principle of this technique to be carried out, by cleanly identifying excited states in the proton-drip-line nucleus, 74Rb.

Neutron-deficient uranium isotopes were studied via α spectroscopic methods. A low-lying α-decaying isomeric state was found in 218U. The new isomeric state was assigned spin and parity I π = 8+. The isomer decays by α emission with an energy E = 10678(17) keV and with a half-life T 1/2 = (0.56 -0.14 +0.26 ) ms. The known alpha-decay properties of the ground state of 218U was measured with improved statistics. The ground-state α-decay has an energy E = 8612(9) keV and a half-life T 1/2 = (0.51 -0.10 +0.17 ) ms.

Gamma-ray transitions in the extremely neutron-deficient nucleus Te-106 have been identified for the first time. The experiment utilized the Fe-54(Fe-54,2n)Te-106(*) reaction, and the gamma-ray tra ...

In-beam $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ coincidence data have been collected for $^{186}\mathrm{Pb}$ by combining the JUROGAM Ge-detector array and the GREAT spectrometer with the RITU gas-filled recoil separator for recoil-decay tagging measurements. In addition to the known prolate yrast band in $^{186}\mathrm{Pb}$, these data have enabled a new low-lying side band to be identified. Based on the analysis of its decay pattern and comparison with Interacting Boson Model (IBM) calculations, the new band is associated with an oblate shape.

Very neutron-deficient francium and radium isotopes have been produced in fusion evaporation reactions using $^{63}\mathrm{Cu}$ and $^{65}\mathrm{Cu}$ ions on $^{141}\mathrm{Pr}$ targets and $^{36}\mathrm{Ar}$ ions on $^{170}\mathrm{Yb}$ targets. The gas-filled recoil separator RITU was employed to collect the fusion products and to separate them from the scattered beam. The activities were implanted into a position-sensitive silicon detector after passing through a gas-counter system. The isotopes were identified using spatial and time correlations between the implants and decays. Two new \ensuremath{\alpha} decaying radium isotopes, $^{201}\mathrm{Ra}$ and $^{202}\mathrm{Ra}$, were identified. The \ensuremath{\alpha} decay energy and half-life of $^{203}\mathrm{Ra}$ were measured with improved precision. The \ensuremath{\alpha} decay properties measured for the francium isotopes $^{201}\mathrm{Fr},^{202}\mathrm{Fr},^{203}\mathrm{Fr}$, and $^{204}\mathrm{Fr}$ were confirmed, in many cases with improved precision. For the first time, a $(\ensuremath{\pi}{s}_{1/2}^{\ensuremath{-}1})1/{2}^{+}$ proton intruder state was identified in francium isotopes, namely in $^{201}\mathrm{Fr}$ and tentatively in $^{203}\mathrm{Fr}$. The measured decay properties for the neutron-deficient odd-mass Fr isotopes suggest an onset of substantial deformation at $N=112$.

Ultra-fast time-delayed techniques have been recently applied in a number of studies where exotic nuclei were identified using advanced selection techniques. These include large Compton-suppressed Ge arrays, in-flight separators or recoil separators. Some of the new results are discussed in this presentation. Besides the results for $^{32}$Mg and $^{96}$Pd, they include the first determination of the half-life of the $8^+$ state in $^{80}$Ge, $T_1/2$ = 2.95(6) ns, and significantly more precise results for $^{51}$Mn (3680 keV level) and $^{48}$V (421 keV level), $T_1/2$ = 1760(40) ps and $T_1/2$ $\leq$ 135 ps, respectively. Development of new scintillators will steadily improve precision and sensitivity of future measurements.

Over the past few years a great deal of new spectroscopic data has been obtained for transfermium nuclei. Recoil separators, coupled with modern target position and focal-plane spectrometers, allow detailed studies of the structure and decay properties of transfermium nuclei to be peformed. In-beam studies using the recoil-gating and recoil-decay tagging techniques mainly provide information on yrast states, whilst complementary focal-plane decay studies give access to non-yrast and isomeric structures. In-beam studies of nuclei in this region have largely been performed at ANL and JYFL, and decay experiments at GSI, JYFL, GANIL and ANL. The present contribution is focussed on recent developments and experiments carried out by a number of collaborating institutes at JYFL.

The neutron-deficient nucleus $^{162}\mathrm{Os}$, produced in the $^{106}\mathrm{Cd}(^{58}\mathrm{Ni},2n)$ reaction, has been studied using the JUROGAM $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray spectrometer in conjunction with the RITU gas-filled separator and the GREAT focal plane spectrometer. $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray transitions in $^{162}\mathrm{Os}$ have been assigned for the first time through the application of the recoil decay tagging technique. The excitation energy of the ${2}^{+}$ state and the tentative energy of the ${8}^{+}$ state are discussed in terms of the systematic energy trends as the $N=82$ shell gap is approached.

The $^{170,171}\mathrm{Au}$ isotopes were produced in the fusion-evaporation reaction of a $^{78}\mathrm{Kr}$ ion beam with a $^{96}\mathrm{Ru}$ target. For $^{170}\mathrm{Au}$ the proton and $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ emission from the ground state were observed for the first time and the decay of the isomeric state was measured with improved accuracy. In addition, the decay of $^{171}\mathrm{Au}$ was measured with high statistics. A new $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-emitting nucleus $^{171}\mathrm{Hg}$ and the previously known $^{172}\mathrm{Hg}$ and $^{167,168,169,170}\mathrm{Pt}$ isotopes were also studied. The ground-state proton emission was identified for a new proton emitter $^{176}\mathrm{Tl}$ using the fusion-evaporation reaction of $^{78}\mathrm{Kr}$ ions with a $^{102}\mathrm{Pd}$ target. The previously known proton emitter $^{177}\mathrm{Tl}$ and $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-decaying nucleus $^{173}\mathrm{Hg}$ were also identified in this reaction. The fusion products were separated in-flight using a gas-filled recoil separator and implanted into a position-sensitive silicon detector. Identification of the nuclei was based on position, time, and energy correlations between the implants and subsequent decays.

High spin states in the $^{177}\mathrm{Hg}$ nucleus were populated by the $^{144}\mathrm{Sm}(^{36}\mathrm{Ar},3\mathrm{n})^{177}\mathrm{Hg}$ reaction at a beam energy of $178\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\text{MeV}$. The emitted prompt $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays were detected with the Jurosphere $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray spectrometer, while the recoiling nuclei were identified using an active stopper at the focal plane of the gas-filled separator RITU. A quasi-rotational band that decays to an isomeric state with a half-life ${t}_{1∕2}=1.50\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.15\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{s}$ and its subsequent $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ decay to the ground state of $^{177}\mathrm{Hg}$ have been observed for the first time. Based on the observed decays from this isomeric state, we suggest that the spin of the ground state of $^{177}\mathrm{Hg}$ is ${J}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}=7∕{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$. In addition, a sequence of transitions that bypass this isomeric state has also been observed. Evidence for shape coexistence is presented. The properties of the observed states are discussed in terms of the systematics of the mercury nuclei in this transitional region.

Techniques have been developed to study isomeric states in nuclei with the use of RITU (gas filled separator) at the University of Jyvaskyla. The first was the recoil-isomer tagging technique initially, utilised by D.M. Cullen to study the K π = 8− isomeric state in 138Gd [1]. The juro-sphere array was employed in conjunction with ritu and a focal plane array which consisted of several Compton-suppressed Germanium detectors, placed in close geometry around a multi wire proportional counter (mwpc) and a silicon strip detector used for the implantation of recoiling nuclei. This technique correlates prompt and delayed γ-ray transitions across isomeric states and identifies the lifetime of the isomer. The main constraint of this technique is the timing electronics. Only isomers with a half-life greater than the flight time through RITU(~ 300ns) and less than the collection time of the tdc’s (32 μs) can be identified. This time range and hence technique is ideal for the region of mass A = 140 near proton drip line nuclei which have small production cross-sections in comparison to their more neutron rich neighbours and lack charged particle emission suitable for recoil-decay-tagging. Subsequent experiments to ref.

The spectrum of prompt conversion electrons emitted by excited 2 5 4 No nuclei has been measured, revealing discrete lines arising from transitions within the ground state band. A striking feature is a broad distribution that peaks near 100 keVand comprises high multiplicity electron cascades, probably originating from Ml transitions within rotational bands built on high K states.

The 36Ar + 107Ag fusion-evapn. reaction was used to search for isomeric states in the N = 77 isotope 140Eu near the proton-drip line. The recoiling nuclei were implanted into a Si detector, at the focal plane of a gas-filled separator, where prompt and delayed g-ray transitions were correlated across isomeric states using recoil-isomer tagging. The feeding and decay of a new 299(3) ns isomeric state was established. This measurement represents the first observation of excited high-spin states in 140Eu. The behavior of the new states above the isomer is discussed in terms of theor. calcns. based upon the cranked-shell model and upon the exptl. systematics of other N = 77 isotones. Within this framework, the isomer was interpreted to be built upon a ph11/2 ? nh11/2 two-quasiparticle configuration. [on SciFinder (R)]

The α decay of 183Pb has been studied in detail at the focal plane of the RITU gas-filled separator. The four previously known α decay branches have been ordered into the decay of two isomers in 183Pb. The deduced decay scheme and the interpretation of the inferred α decay hindrance factors and γ rays observed at the focal plane are strongly in favor of the recent suggestion of triple shape coexistence-oblate, prolate, and near-spherical in the daughter nucleus 179Hg.

Lifetimes of low-lying yrast states in 186Pb and 194Po have been determined by employing, for the first time, the recoil-decay tagging technique in recoil distance Doppler-shift lifetime measurements. In addition, lifetime measurements of prolate states in 188Pb up to the 8+ state were carried out using the recoil gating method. The deformation parameters $\vert \beta_{2}\vert = 0.29(5)$ and $\vert \beta_{2} \vert = 0.17(3)$ for the prolate (186,188Pb) and the oblate (194Po) bands, respectively, have been extracted from the measured lifetimes. 27.70.+q–

Neutron-deficient α-decaying nuclei have been produced using fusion-evaporation reactions. A gas-filled recoil separator was used to separate the fusion products from the scattered beam. The activities were implanted in a position sensitive silicon detector. The isotopes were identified using spatial and time correlations between implants and decays. During ten years of operation time about twenty new α-decaying isotopes have been identified in the translead region. In addition numerous α-decay studies have been performed on already known isotopes yielding much improved precision for the measured decay properties. An overview of the α-decay studies performed for the translead nuclei employing the gas-filled recoil separator will be given.

Alpha-decay properties of the isotope 191At were investigated for the first time and the decay properties of 193At and 195At were studied with improved accuracy. The nuclei were produced in fusion-evaporation reactions of 54Fe and 56Fe ions with 141Pr and 142Nd targets. The fusion products were separated in-flight using the gas-filled recoil separator RITU and implanted into a position-sensitive silicon detector. The isotopes were identified using position, time and energy correlations between the implants and subsequent alpha decays. New information concerning the low-lying states in the corresponding alpha-decay daughter nuclei 187Bi, 189Bi and 191Bi was also gained using alpha-gamma coincidences.

Neutron-deficient uranium isotopes were studied via α spectroscopic methods. A low-lying α-decaying isomeric state was found in 218U. The new isomeric state was assigned spin and parity Iπ=8+. The isomer decays by α emission with an energy E = 10678(17)keV and with a half-life T1/2 = (0.56+0.26-0.14)ms. The known alpha-decay properties of the ground state of 218U was measured with improved statistics. The ground-state α-decay has an energy E = 8612(9)keV and a half-life T1/2 = (0.51+0.17-0.10)ms.

This measurement represents the first observation of a non-yrast band in the 186Pb nucleus by employing the Recoil-Decay Tagging (RDT) technique. Previously known yrast levels have been confirmed and the band is extended up to level I π = (16+).

Lifetimes in 188Pb were measured using the Koln plunger in combination with the RITU sepa-rator and JUROGAM. Four lifetimes were measured, from which the deformation of the prolate band was experimentally determined for the first time. The squared prolate mixing amplitude of the 2 1 + state was deduced from the measured B(E2) values.

Tagging with β-particles at the focal plane of a recoil separator has been shown to be an effective technique for the study of exotic proton-rich nuclei. This article describes three new pieces of apparatus used to greatly improve the sensitivity of the recoil-beta tagging technique. These include a highly-pixelated double-sided silicon strip detector, a plastic phoswich detector for discriminating high-energy β-particles, and a charged-particle veto box. The performance of these new detectors is described and characterised, and the resulting improvements are discussed.