Spectroscopy of 142Nd and 143Nd via inelastic proton scattering at Ep = 25 MeV

The nuclei 142 Nd and 142 Nd have been studied by means of high-resolution inelastic proton scattering at E p = 25 MeV. Angular distributions have been measured from θ lab = 20° to 50°. Transitions to 24 levels in 142 Nd and 39 levels in 143 Nd up to an excitation energy of 3.8 MeV were observed. Multipolarities L and transition strengths G L were determined using distorted-wave Born approximation analysis. Particle-core coupled configurations were identified in 143 Nd. In particular, the identification of all members of the octupole multiplet ( 3 − · νf 7 2 ) provides insights on the particle-vibration coupling in this region of nuclei. Coupling to other excitation modes is discussed, and comparison with unified model calculations is made.