Evidence of oblate-prolate shape coexistence in the strongly-deformed nucleus 119Cs

International audience; Prolate-oblate shape coexistence close to the ground state in the strongly-deformed proton-rich A≈120 nuclei is reported for the first time. One of the four reported bands in 119Cs, built on a 11/2− state at 670 keV, consists of nearly degenerate signature partners, and has properties which unequivocally indicate the strongly-coupled πh11/2[505]11/2− configuration associated with oblate shape. Together with the decoupled πh11/2[541]3/2− band built on the 11/2− prolate state at 110 keV, for which a half-life of T1/2=55(5)μs has been measured, the new bands bring evidence of shape coexistence at low spin in the proton-rich strongly deformed A≈120 nuclei, a phenomenon p…

Isospin symmetry in B(E2) values: Coulomb excitation study of Mg21

The Tz=−32 nucleus 21Mg has been studied by Coulomb excitation on 196Pt and 110Pd targets. A 205.6(1)-keV γ-ray transition resulting from the Coulomb excitation of the 52+ ground state to the first excited 12+ state in 21Mg was observed for the first time. Coulomb excitation cross-section measurements with both targets and a measurement of the half-life of the 12+ state yield an adopted value of B(E2;52+→12+)=13.3(4) W.u. A new excited state at 1672(1) keV with tentative 92+ assignment was also identified in 21Mg. This work demonstrates a large difference in the B(E2;52+→12+) value between T=32, A=21 mirror nuclei. The difference is investigated in the shell-model framework employing both i…

Maximally aligned states in the proton drip line nucleus 106Sb

High-spin states in Sb-106 have been investigated in the Fe-54(Ni-58, 1α 1p1n) reaction by in-beam γ-spectroscopic methods using the EUROBALL detector array equipped with charged particle and neutr ...

Evolution from γ -soft to stable triaxiality in Nd136 as a prerequisite of chirality

The level structure of Nd136 has been investigated using the Mo100(Ar40,4n) reaction and the JUROGAM II+RITU+GREAT setup. The level scheme has been extended significantly. Many new bands have been identified both at low and high spin, among which are five nearly degenerate bands interpreted as chiral partners. Excitation energies, spins, and parities of the previously known bands are revised and firmly established, and some previously known bands have been revised. Configurations are assigned to the observed bands based on cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky calculations. The band structure of Nd136 is now clarified and the various types of single-particle and collective excitations are well underst…

Rich band structure and multiple long-lived isomers in the odd-odd Cs118 nucleus

Tilted precession bands in Nd135

Two new excited bands built on the πh11/2 configuration have been identified in Nd135 in addition to the known πh11/2 band. The energy spectra of the excited bands and the available electromagnetic transition probabilities are in good agreement with theoretical results obtained using quasiparticle-plus-triaxial-rotor model calculations. The properties of the bands identify them as tilted precession bands instead of wobbling bands. Our results give a new insight into the interpretation of the low-lying bands in odd-A mass nuclei, and can stimulate future studies to address the nuclear triaxiality.

Evidence of chiral bands in even-even nuclei

Evidence for chiral doublet bands has been observed for the first time in the even-even nucleus 136 Nd . One chiral band was firmly established. Four other candidates for chiral bands were also identified, which can contribute to the realization of the multiple pairs of chiral doublet bands ( M χ D ) phenomenon. The observed bands are investigated by the constrained and tilted axis cranking covariant density functional theory (TAC-CDFT). Possible configurations have been explored. The experimental energy spectra, angular momenta, and B ( M 1 ) / B ( E 2 ) values for the assigned configurations are globally reproduced by TAC-CDFT. Calculated results support the chiral interpretation of the o…

Neutron Excitations Across the N=50 Shell Gap in 102In

The structure of In-102 has been investigated by in-beam gamma-spectroscopic methods. Knowledge on the excited states of this nucleus has significantly been extended. Three cascades of transitions were observed to exceed the spin-energy domain spanned by the pig(9/2)(-1)v(d(5/2),g(7/2))(3) configurations. The new high spin states at similar to 4 MeV excitation energy could be assigned to the pig(9/2)(-1)v(d(5/2), g(7/2))(2)h (11/2) configuration, while at least those at 4.733, 5.192 and 5.853 MeV most likely arise from the vg(9/2) --> vd(5/2), g(7/2) one-particle-one-hole excitation across the N = 50 shell closure.

Charge breeding rare isotopes for high precision mass measurements: challenges and opportunities

Ion charge breeding for Penning-trap mass spectrometry has been established as providing a precision increase that scales linearly with the charge state of the ion. Fast and efficient charge breeding is a precondition for the application of this approach to rare isotopes. However, in view of low yields and short half-lives the precision boost is partly compromised by unavoidable ion losses inherent to the charge breeding process. The mass spectrometer TRIUMFs ion trap for atomic and nuclear science is pioneering this field by coupling a Penning trap and an electron beam ion trap to the rare-isotope beam facility ISAC at TRIUMF. Here we present simulations that calculate and maximize the eff…

Highly deformed bands in Nd nuclei: New results and consistent interpretation within the cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky formalism

International audience; Three new highly-deformed (HD) bands are identified in Nd136 and the highly deformed band of Nd137 is extended at higher spin by four transitions, revealing a band crossing associated with the occupation of the second νi13/2 intruder orbital. Extended cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky calculations are performed for all HD bands observed in Nd134, Nd136, and Nd137, achieving for the first time a consistent interpretation of all HD bands in the Nd nuclei. The new interpretation has significant consequences, like the change of parity of the yrast HD bands of Nd134 and Nd136, and the involvement of two negative-parity neutron intruder orbitals in the configurations of most HD b…

Dawning of the N=32 shell closure seen through precision mass measurements of neutron-rich titanium isotopes

A precision mass investigation of the neutron-rich titanium isotopes 51 − 55 Ti was performed at TRIUMF’s Ion Trap for Atomic and Nuclear science (TITAN). The range of the measurements covers the N = 32 shell closure, and the overall uncertainties of the 52 − 55 Ti mass values were significantly reduced. Our results conclusively establish the existence of the weak shell effect at N = 32 , narrowing down the abrupt onset of this shell closure. Our data were compared with state-of-the-art ab initio shell model calculations which, despite very successfully describing where the N = 32 shell gap is strong, overpredict its strength and extent in titanium and heavier isotones. These measurements a…

High-resolution γ-ray spectroscopy: a versatile tool for nuclear β-decay studies at TRIUMF-ISAC

High-resolution γ-ray spectroscopy is essential to fully exploit the unique, high-quality beams available at the next generation of radioactive ion beam facilities such as the TRIUMF isotope separator and accelerator (ISAC). The 8π spectrometer, which consists of 20 Compton-suppressed HPGe detectors, has recently been reconfigured for a vigorous research programme in weak interaction and nuclear structure physics. With the addition of a variety of ancillary detectors it has become the world's most powerful device dedicated to β-decay studies. This paper provides a brief overview of the apparatus and highlights from recent experiments.

Yrast superdeformed band in59Cu

High-spin states in Cu-59 were populated using the fusion-evaporation reactions Si-28+ Ca-40 at a beam energy of 125 MeV and Ar-36+Si-28 at a beam energy of 143 MeV. The Gammasphere array in conjunction with ancillary detector systems allowed for the identification of a superdeformed rotational band in Cu-59, which was firmly linked to low-spin yrast states. Using directional correlations of oriented states, a spin-parity assignment of I-pi=25/2(+) to the band head was possible. The average quadrupole moment of the band is measured to be Q(t)=(2.24+/-0.40) e b. The characteristics of the band are compared to neighboring nuclei and predictions of different mean-field theories.

Collective rotation of an oblate nucleus at very high spin

International audience; A sequence of nine almost equidistant quadrupole transitions is observed in Nd137. The sequence represents an extremely regular rotational band that extends to a spin of about 75/2 and an excitation energy of ≈4.5MeV above yrast. Cranked mean-field calculations of the Nilsson-Strutinsky type suggest an oblate shape for the band. They reproduce the observed I(I+1) dependence of the rotational energy whereas predicting a pronounced decrease in the deformation, which is the hallmark of antimagnetic rotation.

Identification of theg92proton and neutron band crossing in theN=ZnucleusSr76

High-spin states in $^{76}\mathrm{Sr}$ have been studied using Gammasphere plus Microball detector arrays. The known yrast band has been extended beyond the first band crossing, which involves the simultaneous alignment of pairs of ${\mathrm{g}}_{\frac{9}{2}}$ protons and neutrons, to a tentative spin of $24\ensuremath{\hbar}$. The data are compared with the results of cranked relativistic mean-field (CRMF) and cranked relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov (CRHB) calculations. The properties of the band, including the ${\mathrm{g}}_{\frac{9}{2}}$ proton/neutron band crossing frequency and moments of inertia, are found to be well reproduced by the CRHB calculations. Furthermore, the unpaired CRMF …

Neutron excitations in Ba119

Deformation of rotational structures inKr73andRb74: Probing the additivity principle at triaxial shapes

Lifetimes have been deduced in the intermediate/high-spin range for the three known rotational bands in $^{73}\mathrm{Kr}$ and the $T=0$ band in $^{74}\mathrm{Rb}$ using the residual Doppler shift method. This has enabled relative transition quadrupole moments to be studied for the first time in triaxial nuclei as a function of spin. The data suggest that the additivity principle for transition quadrupole moments is violated, a result that is in disagreement with predictions from cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky and cranked relativistic mean-field theory calculations. The reasons for the discrepancy are not understood but may indicate that important correlations are missing from the models.

Chirality of $^{135}$Nd reexamined: Evidence for multiple chiral doublet bands

One new pair of positive-parity chiral doublet bands have been identified in the odd-$A$ nucleus $^{135}$Nd which together with the previously reported negative-parity chiral doublet bands constitute a third case of multiple chiral doublet (M$\chi$D) bands in the $A\approx130$ mass region. The properties of the M$\chi$D bands are well reproduced by constrained covariant density functional theory and particle rotor model calculations. The newly observed M$\chi$D bands in $^{135}$Nd represents an important milestone in supporting the existence of M$\chi$D in nuclei.