Evidence for reduced collectivity around the neutron mid-shell in the stable even-mass Sn isotopes from new lifetime measurements

Precise measurements of the lifetimes of the first excited 2+ states in the stable even Sn isotopes 112-124Sn have been performed using the Doppler shift attenuation (DSA) technique. For the isotopes 112Sn, 114Sn and 116Sn the B(E2) transition strengths deduced from the measured lifetimes are in severe disagreement with the previously reported values and indicate a minimum at N = 66. The observed deviation from a maximum at mid-shell is attributed to the obstructive effect of the s1/2 neutron orbital in generating collectivity when being close to the Fermi level.