Superdeformation in the Doubly Magic NucleusC2040a20

A rotational band with seven gamma -ray transitions between states with spin 2 (h) over bar and 16 (h) over bar has been observed in the doubly magic, self-conjugate nucleus Ca-40(20)20. The measured transition quadrupole moment of 1.80(-0.29)(+0.39)eb indicates a superdeformed shape with a deformation beta (2) = 0.59(-0.07)(+0.11). The features of this band are explained by cranked relativistic mean field calculations to arise from an 8-particle 8-hole excitation.

Reevaluation of theP30(p,γ)S31astrophysical reaction rate from a study of theT=1/2mirror nuclei,S31andP31

The $^{30}\mathrm{P}$($p,\ensuremath{\gamma}$)$^{31}\mathrm{S}$ reaction rate is expected to be the principal determinant for the endpoint of nucleosynthesis in classical novae. To date, the reaction rate has only been estimated through Hauser-Feschbach calculations and is unmeasured experimentally. This paper aims to remedy this situation. Excited states in $^{31}\mathrm{S}$ and $^{31}\mathrm{P}$ were populated in the $^{12}\mathrm{C}$($^{20}\mathrm{Ne}$,$n$) and $^{12}\mathrm{C}$($^{20}\mathrm{Ne}$,$p$) reactions, respectively, at a beam energy of 32 MeV, and their resulting $\ensuremath{\gamma}$decay was detected with the Gammasphere array. Around half the relevant proton unbound states …

Entry distribution of 220Th: A method to determine the fission barrier of an unstable nucleus

First candidates for γ vibrational bands built on the [505]11/2⁻ neutron orbital in odd-A Dy isotopes

Rotational structures have been measured using the Jurogam II and GAMMASPHERE arrays at low spin following the 155Gd(α,2n)157Dy and 148Nd(12C,5n)155Dy reactions at 25 and 65 MeV, respectively. We report high-K bands, which are conjectured to be the first candidates of a Kπ=2+γ vibrational band, built on the [505]11/2− neutron orbital, in both odd-A155,157Dy isotopes. The coupling of the first excited K=0+ states or the so-called β vibrational bands at 661 and 676 keV in 154Dy and 156Dy to the [505]11/2− orbital, to produce a Kπ=11/2− band, was not observed in both 155Dy and 157Dy, respectively. The implication of these findings on the interpretation of the first excited 0+ states in the cor…

Evolution of collective motion in light polonium nuclei

The {gamma}-ray spectroscopy of even- and odd-mass isotopes of polonium have been studied using arrays of Ge detectors coupled to recoil-mass analyzers, including recoil-decay tagging techniques. The level energies and B(E2) branching ratios can be reproduced by theoretical frameworks which do not explicitly include proton particle-hole excitations across the Z = 82 shell, conclusions in contrast to those deduced from alpha-decay measurements.

Superallowed α Decay to Doubly Magic Sn100

We report the first observation of the ^{108}Xe→^{104}Te→^{100}Sn α-decay chain. The α emitters, ^{108}Xe [E_{α}=4.4(2)  MeV, T_{1/2}=58_{-23}^{+106}  μs] and ^{104}Te [E_{α}=4.9(2)  MeV, T_{1/2}<18  ns], decaying into doubly magic ^{100}Sn were produced using a fusion-evaporation reaction ^{54}Fe(^{58}Ni,4n)^{108}Xe, and identified with a recoil mass separator and an implantation-decay correlation technique. This is the first time α radioactivity has been observed to a heavy self-conjugate nucleus. A previous benchmark for study of this fundamental decay mode has been the decay of ^{212}Po into doubly magic ^{208}Pb. Enhanced proton-neutron interactions in the N=Z parent nuclei may result …

Search for a 2-quasiparticle high-Kisomer inRf256

The energies of 2-quasiparticle (2-qp) states in heavy shell-stabilized nuclei provide information on the single-particle states that are responsible for the stability of superheavy nuclei. We have calculated the energies of 2-qp states in {sup 256}Rf, which suggest that a long-lived, low-energy 8{sup -} isomer should exist. A search was conducted for this isomer through a calorimetric conversion electron signal, sandwiched in time between implantation of a {sup 256}Rf nucleus and its fission decay, all within the same pixel of a double-sided Si strip detector. A 17(5)-{mu}s isomer was identified. However, its low population, {approx}5(2)% that of the ground state instead of the expected {a…

Fission Barrier of Superheavy Nuclei and Persistence of Shell Effects at High Spin: Cases ofNo254andTh220

We report on the first measurement of the fission barrier height in a heavy shell-stabilized nucleus. The fission barrier height of No-254 is measured to be B-f = 6.0 +/- 0.5 MeV at spin 15 (h) over bar and, by extrapolation, B-f = 6.6 +/- 0.9 MeV at spin 0 (h) over bar. This information is deduced from the measured distribution of entry points in the excitation energy versus spin plane. The same measurement is performed for Th-220 and only a lower limit of the fission barrier height can be determined: B-f (I) > 8 MeV. Comparisons with theoretical fission barriers test theories that predict properties of superheavy elements.

First candidates for $\gamma$ vibrational bands built on the $[505]11/{2}^{-}$ neutron orbital in odd-$A$ Dy isotopes

Rotational structures have been measured using the Jurogam II and GAMMASPHERE arrays at low spin following the 155Gd({\alpha},2n)157Dy and 148Nd(12C, 5n)155Dy reactions at 25 and 65 MeV, respectively. We report high-K bands, which are conjectured to be the first candidates of a K{\pi}= 2+ {\gamma} vibrational band, built on the [505]11/2- neutron orbital, in both odd-A 155, 157Dy isotopes. The coupling of the first excited K=0+ states or the so-called \b{eta} vibrational bands at 661 and 676 keV in 154Dy and 156Dy to the [505]11/2- orbital, to produce a K{\pi}=11/2- band, was not observed in both 155Dy and 157Dy, respectively. The implication of these findings on the interpretation of the f…

Kπ=8−isomers andKπ=2−octupole vibrations inN=150shell-stabilized isotones

Isomers have been populated in {sup 246}Cm and {sup 252}No with quantum numbers K{sup {pi}}=8{sup -}, which decay through K{sup {pi}}=2{sup -} rotational bands built on octupole vibrational states. For N=150 isotones with (even) atomic number Z=94-102, the K{sup {pi}}=8{sup -} and 2{sup -} states have remarkably stable energies, indicating neutron excitations. An exception is a singular minimum in the 2{sup -} energy at Z=98, due to the additional role of proton configurations. The nearly constant energies, in isotones spanning an 18% increase in Coulomb energy near the Coulomb limit, provide a test for theory. The two-quasiparticle K{sup {pi}}=8{sup -} energies are described with single-pa…

Spectroscopic study of228-234Th nuclei using multi-nucleon transfer reactions

Light-actinide nuclei in the octupole deformed region have been populated using multi-nucleon transfer from Th. The energy level schemes of several thorium isotopes with A = 228-234 have been extended up to and negative parity states have been observed for the first time in Th. A systematic study of the difference in alignment between the positive- and negative-parity bands in thorium nuclei in this mass region shows that Th behave like octupole vibrators, in contrast with Th, which are octupole-deformed in character. An intrinsic electric dipole moment has been measured for the first time in Th. The small value obtained is consistent with the vibrational description of this nucleus.

Identification of yrast states in187Pb

gamma-ray spectroscopy of the high-spin states of the neutron-deficient nucleus Pb-187 has been conducted with the Gd-155(Ar-36,4n) reaction. A cascade of three transitions was deduced from gamma-gamma coincidence data gated by detection of recoiling evaporation residues in a gas-filled recoil separator. In an earlier, separate experiment, two of these gamma rays were positively identified with Pb-187 by recoil-gamma coincidence measurements with a high-resolution, recoil mass spectrometer. From comparison with similar sequences in heavier odd-A lead isotopes, the cascade in Pb-187 is associated with the sequence of three E2 transitions from the yrast 25/2(+) level to a low-lying 13/2(+) is…

Mirror energy differences in theA=31mirror nuclei,S31andP31, and their significance in electromagnetic spin-orbit splitting

Excited states in $^{31}\mathrm{S}$ and $^{31}\mathrm{P}$ were populated in the $^{12}\mathrm{C}$($^{20}\mathrm{Ne}$,n) and $^{12}\mathrm{C}$($^{20}\mathrm{Ne}$,p) reactions, respectively, at a beam energy of 32 MeV. High spin states of positive and negative parity have been observed in $^{31}\mathrm{S}$ for the first time, and the yrast scheme of $^{31}\mathrm{P}$ has been extended. Large mirror energy differences between the first $9/{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ and $13/{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ states were observed, but only small differences for the first $7/{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ and $11/{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ levels. The significance of these observations is discussed in relation to the electromag…

Performance of a gamma-ray tracking array: Characterizing the AGATA array using a 60Co source

International audience; The AGATA (Advanced GAmma Tracking Array) tracking detector is being designed to far surpass the performance of the previous generation, Compton-suppressed arrays. In this paper, a characterization of AGATA is provided based on data from the second GSI campaign. Emphasis is placed on the proper corrections required to extract the absolute photopeak efficiency and peak-to-total ratio. The performance after tracking is extracted and GEANT4 simulations are used both to understand the results and to scale the measurements up to predicted values for the full 4π implementation of the device.

New constraints on the Al25(p,γ) reaction and its influence on the flux of cosmic γ rays from classical nova explosions

The astrophysical 25Al(p,γ)26Si reaction represents one of the key remaining uncertainties in accurately modeling the abundance of radiogenic 26Al ejected from classical novae. Specifically, the strengths of key proton-unbound resonances in 26Si, that govern the rate of the 25Al(p,γ) reaction under explosive astrophysical conditions, remain unsettled. Here, we present a detailed spectroscopy study of the 26Si mirror nucleus 26Mg. We have measured the lifetime of the 3+, 6.125-MeV state in 26Mg to be 19(3)fs and provide compelling evidence for the existence of a 1− state in the T=1,A=26 system, indicating a previously unaccounted for ℓ=1 resonance in the 25Al(p,γ) reaction. Using the present…

Candidate superdeformed band in 28Si

Recent antisymmetrized molecular dynamics (AMD) calculations for 28Si suggest the presence of a superdeformed (SD) band with a dominant 24Mg + α clustering for its configuration, with firm predictions for its location and associated moment of inertia. This motivates a review of the experimental results reported in the literature with a particular focus on 24Mg(α,γ ) studies, as well as on α-like heavy-ion transfer reactions such as 12C(20Ne,α) 28Si. Combining this information for the first time leads to a set of candidate SD states whose properties point to their α-cluster structure and strong associated deformation. Analysis of data from Gammasphere allows the electromagnetic decay of thes…

Candidate superdeformed band in 28Si

Structure of the Odd-A, Shell-Stabilized NucleusNo102253

In-beam {gamma}-ray spectroscopic measurements have been made on {sub 102}{sup 253}No. A single rotational band was identified up to a probable spin of 39/2({Dirac_h}/2{pi}), which is assigned to the 7/2{sup +}[624] Nilsson configuration. The bandhead energy and the moment of inertia provide discriminating tests of contemporary models of the heaviest nuclei. Novel methods were required to interpret the sparse data set associated with cross sections of around 50 nb. These methods included comparisons of experimental and simulated spectra, as well as testing for evidence of a rotational band in the {gamma}{gamma} matrix.

Proton decay of 108I and its significance for the termination of the astrophysical rp-process

Abstract Employing the Argonne Fragment Mass Analyzer and the implantation-decay-decay correlation technique, a weak 0.50(21)% proton decay branch was identified in 108I for the first time. The 108I proton-decay width is consistent with a hindered l = 2 emission, suggesting a d 5 2 origin. Using the extracted 108I proton-decay Q value of 597(13) keV, and the Q α values of the 108I and 107Te isotopes, a proton-decay Q value of 510(20) keV for 104Sb was deduced. Similarly to the 112,113Cs proton-emitter pair, the Q p ( I 108 ) value is lower than that for the less-exotic neighbor 109I, possibly due to enhanced proton-neutron interactions in N ≈ Z nuclei. In contrast, the present Q p ( Sb 104 …

Revised decay properties of the key 93-keV resonance in the 25Mg(p,γ) reaction and its influence on the MgAl cycle in astrophysical environments

The γ-decay properties of an excited state in 26Al at 6398.3(8) keV have been reexamined using the 11B+16O fusion-evaporation reaction. This level represents a key 93.1(8)-keV resonance in the 25Mg+p system and its relative branching to the 26Al ground state, f0, has been determined to be 0.76±0.03 (stat.) ±0.10 (syst.). This is a significantly higher value than the most recent evaluation and implies a considerable increase in the production of cosmic γ rays from 26Al radioactivity. peerReviewed

Prolate yrast cascade in183Tl

The yrast sequence in ${}^{183}\mathrm{Tl}$ has been studied for the first time in recoil-mass selected \ensuremath{\gamma}-ray spectroscopic measurements. A rotational-like cascade of seven transitions is established down to the band head with probable spin and parity ${(13/2}^{+}).$ Unlike in the adjacent odd-mass Tl nuclei, prompt \ensuremath{\gamma} decay from the yrast band to a lower lying weakly deformed (oblate) structure is not observed. These features are consistent with the predicted drop of the prolate band head in ${}^{183}\mathrm{Tl}$ compared to ${}^{185}\mathrm{Tl}.$ The implications for the prolate energy minimum in odd-mass Tl nuclei at the neutron ${i}_{13/2}$ midshell $(…

Spectroscopy of Rn, Ra and Th isotopes using multi-nucleon transfer reactions

Abstract High-spin spectroscopy of Rn, Ra and Th isotopes has been performed. The nuclei have been populated using multi-nucleon transfer reactions involving a 232 Th target and a 136 Xe projectile. This type of reaction offers the only mechanism for populating high-spin states in many of these nuclei. Interleaving bands with opposite parities have been observed to high spin ( ∼28 h ) in 218,220,222 Rn, 222,224,226,228 Ra and 228,230,234 Th. A systematic study of the rotational alignment properties of octupole bands in radon, radium and thorium isotopes reveals information concerning the role of the octupole phonon and the onset of stable octupole deformation with increasing rotational freq…

Bridging the nuclear structure gap between stable and super heavy nuclei

International audience; Due to recent advances in detection techniques, excited states in several trans-fermium nuclei were studied in many laboratories worldwide, shedding light on the evolution of nuclear structure between stable nuclei and the predicted island of stability centered around spherical magic numbers. In particular, studies of K-isomers around the Z=100 and N=152 deformed shell closures extended information on the energies of Nilsson orbitals at the Fermi surface. Some of these orbitals originate from spherical states, which are relevant to the magic gaps in super-heavy nuclei. The single-particle energies can be used to test various theoretical predictions and aid in extrapo…

Observation of octupole structures in radon and radium isotopes and their contrasting behavior at high spin

Multinucleon transfer reactions have been used, for the first time, to populate high-spin bands of alternating parity states in {sup 218,220,222}Rn and {sup 222,224,226}Ra. The behavior of the angular momentum alignment with rotational frequency for the Rn isotopes is very different when compared with Ra and Th isotopes with N{approx}134, indicating a transition from octupole vibrational to stable octupole deformation. Throughout the measured spin range the values of {vert_bar}D{sub 0}/Q{sub 0}{vert_bar} remain constant for {sup 222}Ra and {sup 226}Ra and have a very small value for {sup 224}Ra, suggesting that the charge and mass distributions are not affected appreciably by rotations. {co…

New constraints on the Al 25 (p,γ) reaction and its influence on the flux of cosmic γ rays from classical nova explosions

The astrophysical Al25(p,γ)Si26 reaction represents one of the key remaining uncertainties in accurately modeling the abundance of radiogenic Al26 ejected from classical novae. Specifically, the strengths of key proton-unbound resonances in Si26, that govern the rate of the Al25(p,γ) reaction under explosive astrophysical conditions, remain unsettled. Here, we present a detailed spectroscopy study of the Si26 mirror nucleus Mg26. We have measured the lifetime of the 3+, 6.125-MeV state in Mg26 to be 19(3)fs and provide compelling evidence for the existence of a 1- state in the T=1,A=26 system, indicating a previously unaccounted for=1 resonance in the Al25(p,γ) reaction. Using the presently…

Decay and Fission Hindrance of Two- and Four-QuasiparticleKIsomers inRf254

Two isomers decaying by electromagnetic transitions with half-lives of 4.7(1.1) and 247(73) μs have been discovered in the heavy ^{254}Rf nucleus. The observation of the shorter-lived isomer was made possible by a novel application of a digital data acquisition system. The isomers were interpreted as the K^{π}=8^{-}, ν^{2}(7/2^{+}[624],9/2^{-}[734]) two-quasineutron and the K^{π}=16^{+}, 8^{-}ν^{2}(7/2^{+}[624],9/2^{-}[734])⊗8^{-}π^{2}(7/2^{-}[514],9/2^{+}[624]) four-quasiparticle configurations, respectively. Surprisingly, the lifetime of the two-quasiparticle isomer is more than 4 orders of magnitude shorter than what has been observed for analogous isomers in the lighter N=150 isotones. …

New constraints on the Al25(p,γ) reaction and its influence on the flux of cosmic γ rays from classical nova explosions

The astrophysical $^{25}\mathrm{Al}(p,\ensuremath{\gamma})\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}^{26}\mathrm{Si}$ reaction represents one of the key remaining uncertainties in accurately modeling the abundance of radiogenic $^{26}\mathrm{Al}$ ejected from classical novae. Specifically, the strengths of key proton-unbound resonances in $^{26}\mathrm{Si}$, that govern the rate of the $^{25}\mathrm{Al}(p,\ensuremath{\gamma})$ reaction under explosive astrophysical conditions, remain unsettled. Here, we present a detailed spectroscopy study of the $^{26}\mathrm{Si}$ mirror nucleus $^{26}\mathrm{Mg}$. We have measured the lifetime of the ${3}^{+}$, 6.125-MeV state in $^{26}\mathrm{Mg}$ to be $19(3)\phanto…