0000000000024808
AUTHOR
J. Alstad
Evidence for Shape Coexistence in Neutron-Rich Rh and Ag Nuclei
Neutron-rich nuclei of Rh and Ag have been investigated by γ-ray spectroscopic measurements as well as single-particle transfer reactions like (d,3He) and (3He,d). The obtained level schemes of 105,107,109,111Rh and 113,115Ag show two different types of excitation: (I) proton-hole states related to a spherical shape of the nucleus and (II) proton-particle states with a rotational band-like structure (intruder band) pointing towards deformation of the nucleus. The “fingerprints” for such a shape coexistence and resulting systematics in these nuclei and the possible interpretation of the intruder band as a rotational band built upon the 1/2+[431] Nilsson configuration are discussed.
Evidence for intruder states in111Rh
Levels in111Rh have been investigated via the γ -rays following the β−-decay of 2.1 s111Ru. The Ru activity was produced in the fission of249Cf and separated chemically from the fission product mixture. The emitted γ-rays were studied by γ singles and γ(t) coincidence measurements. Evidence for intruder states in111Rh has been obtained. Their properties are discussed and compared with those in the lighter Rh isotopes.
New nuclides: Neptunium-243 and neptunium-244
We have observedγ-rays following the β−-decay of243Np and244Np after chemical isolation of neptunium isotopes from the products of the reaction of 835 MeV136Xe with244Pu. The ground-state of 1.85-min243Np hasJ=5/2. The decay of 2.29-min244Np (probableJπ=7−) populates high-spin members of the ground state rotational band in244Pu.
Level lifetimes in neutron-rich Ru isotopes
The neutron-rich Ru isotopes are situated between the strongly deformed Sr-Zr region with axial deformation of f l _ 0.40 [1] and the spherical Cd-Sn region. Evidence for triaxiality of even-even Ru isotopes has been presented in [2-5], and lifetimes of some of their 2 + states have been measured in fission studies [6-9]. It seems, however, that in these experiments the nearly identical energies of the 2 + ---* 0 + transitions in l~ and 11~ could not be separated. Therefore, high-resolution measurements are required in order to perceive the evolution of deformation with increasing neutron number. So far only few measurements by the delayed-coincidence method [10] have been performed on chem…
Application of fast solvent extraction processes to studies of exotic nuclides
Fast solvent extraction is a chemical separation method, which can be applied to study exotic nuclides. Since about 1970 the SISAK technique, which is an on-line method based on multi-stage solvent extraction separations, has been successfully used to investigate the nuclear properties of β-decaying nuclides with half-lives down to about one second. During the last decade it has become possible to produce transactinide elements in high enough yields to investigate their chemical properties on a one-atom-at-a-time scale. For this purpose it was necessary to improve and change the detection part of the SISAK system in order to be capable to detect spontaneously fissioning and α-decaying nucli…
Studies of short-lived fission products by means of the multistage solvent extraction system SISAK
The multistage solvent extraction system SISAK is described. The system is used for online studies of nuclides with half-lives down to ∼1 s. Some of the chemical separation procedures are presented, and a survey is given on the results obtained so far. The possiblity to gain access to nuclides with even shorter half-lives is also discussed.
Continuous separation and identification of neutronrich neptunium isotopes from heavy-ion reactions by means of the centrifuge system “sisak”
Abstract Neutron-rich neptunium isotopes formed in direct transfer reactions between 136 Xe projectiles and targets of 244 Pu have been separated from other reaction products with the on-line liquid-liquid extraction system SISAK. A four-detector delay method was used to determine the half-lives of the previously unknown isotopes 243 Np and 244 Np. From the decay of the 287.4 keV γ-line a half-life of 1.8 ± 0.3 min was determined for 243 Np. From the decay curves of the γ-lines at 162.7 and 216.7 keV, which fit into the known level scheme of 244 Pu, a half-life of 2.5 ± 0.3 min results for 244 Np.
Shape coexistence near the double-midshell nucleus 111Rh
The decay of 111Ru obtained from fast on-line chemical and mass separation has been investigated by β-γ-t and γ-γ coincidence techniques. Earlier spin and parity assignments of 111Rh levels based on extrapolations of level systematics are confirmed. In particular, the K=1/2 intruder band is supported by the hindrance of E2 transitions between deformed and spherical states and enhancement of intraband E2 transitions. The excitation energies of intruder band members in Rh isotopes show a minimum at 109Rh64, with two neutrons less than 111Rh at the N=66 midshell. This trend, which differs from the one in the higher-Z neighbouring elements Ag and Cd with minima at N=66, follows the evolution of…
Review of the SISAK system in transactinide research
Abstract The performance of the SISAK 1 liquid–liquid extraction system applied in transactinide experiments has been improved with respect to the equipment itself and the way it is operated. The improvements were checked in on-line experiments, under conditions similar to those during transactinide experiments. As a result, the yield of the separation system was increased by a factor >5. Furthermore, a cleaner organic scintillation phase was obtained due to a better phase separation. This reduced the β-background, which disturbs the α-measurements. The sensitivity of the SISAK apparatus, including the gasjet and the detection system has been improved by more than one order of magnitude.
Liquid-scintillation detection of preseparated 257Rf with the SISAK-system
Abstract The fast liquid–liquid extraction system SISAK with continuous liquid scintillation detection was coupled to the Berkeley Gas-filled Separator to enable studies of the chemical properties of α -decaying transactinide elements. The preseparated transactinide 257Rf (4.7 s), was transported via a He/KCl-jet directly into the scintillation solution. This permitted the first unambiguous detection of transactinide atoms by the means of the α -liquid scintillation detectors of the SISAK-system. During the experiment, 89 257Rf atoms were observed. The type of events observed correspond well with the expectations based on half-lives, decay branches and transport- and hold-up times. The succ…
Development of new centrifuges for fast solvent extraction of transactinide elements
The H-0.3 liquid-liquid centrifuge applied for rapid and efficient separation of two liquid phases, and the HG-0.1 gas-liquid centrifuge used to separate the gas phase stemming from a gas jet transportation system and the liquid phase, have been further improved. New centrifuges have been produced of PEEK, a plastic material, which makes them resistant to most aqueous and organic solutions. The performance with respect to time behavior and phase purity is comparable to the titanium centrifuges used so far. The H-0.3 centrifuge has been applied to solvent extraction studies of Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta, W and Pa from HF solutions into tri-n-octylamine.