A new differentially pumped plunger device to measure excited-state lifetimes in proton emitting nuclei

Abstract A new plunger device has been designed and built to measure the lifetimes of unbound states in exotic nuclei beyond the proton drip-line. The device has been designed to work in both vacuum and dilute-gas environments made possible through the introduction of a low-voltage stepping motor. DPUNS will be used in conjunction with the gas-filled separator RITU and the vacuum separator MARA at the accelerator laboratory of the University of Jyvaskyla, Finland, to measure the lifetimes of excited states with low population cross-sections. This is achieved by eliminating the need for a carbon foil to isolate the helium gas of RITU from the beam line thus reducing the background from beam-…

Lifetime measurements of excited states in $^{169,171,173}$Os: Persistence of anomalous $B(E2)$ ratios in transitional rare earth nuclei in the presence of a decoupled $i_{13/2}$ valence neutron

International audience; Lifetimes of low-lying excited states in the νi13/2+ bands of the neutron-deficient osmium isotopes 169,171,173Os have been measured for the first time using the recoil-distance Doppler shift and recoil-isomer tagging techniques. An unusually low value is observed for the ratio B(E2;21/2+→17/2+)/B(E2;17/2+→13/2+) in 169Os, similar to the “anomalously” low values of the ratio B(E2;41+→21+)/B(E2;21+→0gs+) previously observed in several transitional rare-earth nuclides with even numbers of neutrons and protons, including the neighbouring 168,170Os. Furthermore, the evolution of B(E2;21/2+→17/2+)/B(E2;17/2+→13/2+) with increasing neutron number in the odd-mass isotopic c…

Isomeric 13/2+ state in 201Fr

We have identified an isomeric state in 201Fr for which we propose a spin and parity of 13/2 +, and interpret it as arising from the π(i13/2 ) configuration. A half-life of 720(40) ns was measured, corresponding to B(M2) = 0.17(2) W.u., in good agreement with those of other 13/2 + → 9/2 − [π(i13/2 ) → π(h9/2 )] transitions observed in other nuclei in the region. The nuclei of interest were produced in a fusion-evaporation reaction and their decay properties were investigated using the GREAT spectrometer at the focal plane of the RITU gas-filled recoil separator. peerReviewed

New collective structures in Au179 and their implications for the triaxial deformation of the Pt178 core

Stability of the heaviest elements: K isomer in No250

Decay spectroscopy of No250 has been performed using digital electronics and pulse-shape analysis of the fast nuclear decays for the first time. Previous studies of No250 reported two distinct fission decay lifetimes, related to the direct fission of the ground state and to the decay of an isomeric state but without the possibility to determine if the isomeric state decayed directly via fission or via internal electromagnetic transitions to the ground state. The data obtained in the current experiment allowed the puzzle to finally be resolved, attributing the shorter half-life of t1/2=3.8±0.3μs to the ground state and the longer half-life t1/2=34.9−3.2+3.9μs to the decay of an isomeric stat…

Recoil isomer tagging in the proton-rich odd-odd N = 77 isotones, 142Tb and 144Ho

A fusion-evaporation reaction has been employed to search for isomeric states in the near-proton drip-line N577 isotones, 65 142Tb and 67 144Ho. The recoiling nuclei were implanted into a silicon detector at the focal plane of a gas-filled separator, where a recoil isomer tagging technique was employed to correlate prompt and delayed g-ray transitions across isomeric states. New states were observed to be built upon a known 15-ms isomer in 142Tb and the feeding and decay of a new 500(20)-ns isomeric state was established in 144Ho. This measurement represents the first observation of excited states in 144Ho. The behavior of the new states above the isomers suggests that they are built upon l…

Identification of new transitions feeding the high-spin isomers in $^{139}$Nd and $^{140}$Nd nuclei

The population of the high-spin isomers in 139Nd and 140Nd was investigated using the 96Zr(48Ca,xn) reaction and the JUROGAM + RITU + GREAT setup employing the recoil decay tagging technique. Three transitions feeding the 23/2+ isomer in 139Nd and two transitions feeding the 20+ isomer in 140Nd were identified. The newly observed transitions allowed the excitation energy of the isomer to be established in 139Nd and to assign configurations to the states and bands deexcited by the observed transitions in both nuclei. peerReviewed

In-beam and decay spectroscopy of very neutron deficient iridium nuclei

Iridium nuclei at and beyond the proton drip line have been studied via fusion evaporation reactions. A reaction of 92Mo(78Kr, p2n) at a beam energy of 360 MeV and target thickness 500 µg cm−2 was employed to study 167,167mIr. A reaction of 112Sn(58Ni, p2n) at a beam energy of 266 MeV and target thickness 500 µg cm−2 was used to study 169,169mIr. The experiments were performed at the University of Jyvaskyla utilizing the RITU separator in conjunction with the focal plane GREAT spectrometer and the JUROGAM Ge array at the target position. Excited states feeding both the ground state and isomeric state in 169Ir, excited states feeding the ground state of 167Ir and the ground state alpha decay…

Gamma-ray spectroscopy of191,193Bi

Very neutron-deficient Bi-191,Bi-193 nuclei have been studied at the Department of Physics, University of Jyvaskyla, Finland (JYFL) employing the Jurosphere II Ge-detector array coupled to the gas-filled recoil separator RITU and different tagging techniques. For the first time in heavy odd-mass nuclei, a collective band (oblate) is identified above the 2p-1h (1/2(+)) proton intruder state in Bi-191. In both Bi-191,Bi-193, a band based on isomeric 13/2(+) state has been observed and oblate deformation for this state has been deduced. ispartof: Acta Physica Polonica B vol:32 issue:3 pages:1019-1023 ispartof: location:POLAND, ZAKOPANE status: published

Evolution of collectivity inHg180andHg182

Lifetimes of yrast states in $^{180}\mathrm{Hg}$ up to the ${8}^{+}$ state and of the ${9}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ state have been extracted from recoil-decay tagged $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray spectra by using the recoil distance Doppler-shift method. In addition, lifetimes of yrast states up to the ${10}^{+}$ state in $^{182}\mathrm{Hg}$ have been extracted from recoil-gated $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\gamma}$-coincidence spectra. The present study addresses the evolution of collectivity of two competing shapes in neutron-deficient Hg nuclei as a function of $A$ and the configuration mixing at low spin.

New developments on the recoil distance doppler-shift method

Absolute transition probabilities are fundamental observables for nuclear structure. The recoil-distance-Doppler-shift (RDDS) technique, also called plunger technique, is a well established tool for the determination of these important experimental quantities via the measurement of lifetimes of excited nuclear states. Nowadays nuclear structure investigations are concentrated on exotic nuclei which are often produced with extremely small cross sections or with very low beam intensities. In order to use the RDDS technique also for the investigation of very exotic nuclei this method has to be adapted to the specific needs of these special reactions. This article gives an overview on recent RD…

Backbending in the pear-shaped 223(90)Th nucleus: Evidence of a high-spin octupole to quadrupole shape transition in the actinides

International audience; Relatively neutron-rich thorium isotopes lie at the heart of a nuclear region of nuclei exhibiting octupole correlation effects. The detailed level structure of Th223 has been investigated in measurements of γ radiation following the fusion-evaporation channel of the Pb208(O18,3n)Th223 reaction at 85 MeV beam energy. The level structure has been extended up to spin 49/2, and 33 new γ rays have been added using triple-γ coincidence data. The spins and parities of the newly observed states have been confirmed by angular distribution ratios. In addition to the two known yrast bands based on a K=5/2 configuration, a non-yrast band has been established up to spin 35/2. We…

Spectroscopy of low-spin states in $^{157}\mathrm{Dy}$: Search for evidence of enhanced octupole correlations

Low-spin states of 157Dy have been studied using the JUROGAM II array, following the 155Gd ({\alpha}, 2n) reaction at a beam energy of 25 MeV. The level scheme of 157Dy has been expanded with four new bands. Rotational structures built on the [523]5/2- and [402]3/2+ neutron orbitals constitute new additions to the level scheme as do many of the inter- and intra-band transitions. This manuscript also reports the observation of cross I- to (I-1)- and I- to (I-1)+ E1 dipole transitions inter-linking structures built on the [523]5/2- (band 5) and [402]3/2+ (band 7) neutron orbitals. These interlacing band structures are interpreted as the bands of parity doublets with simplex quantum number s =…

Evidence for prolate structure in light Pb isotopes from in-beamγ-ray spectroscopy ofPb185

For the first time, excited states in {sup 185}Pb have been observed in in-beam {gamma}-ray spectroscopic measurements using the recoil-decay tagging method. The resulting level scheme reveals a strongly coupled yrast band structure that originates from coupling of the i{sub 13/2} quasineutron to a prolate deformed core. The band is also observed to de-excite via the spherical {alpha}-decaying 13/2{sup +}isomeric state.

In-beam spectroscopy of $^{253,254}$No

In-beam conversion electron spectroscopy experiments have been performed on the transfermium nuclei 253,254No using the conversion electron spectrometer SACRED in nearly collinear geometry in conjunction with the gas-filled separator RITU at the University of Jyvaskyla. The experimental setup is discussed and the spectra are compared to Monte Carlo simulations. The implications for the ground-state configuration of 253No are discussed.

First observation of high-K isomeric states in $$^{249}$$Md and $$^{251}$$Md

Decay spectroscopy of the odd-proton nuclei $^{249}$Md and $^{251}$Md has been performed. High-K isomeric states were identified for the first time in these two nuclei through the measurement of their electromagnetic decay. An isomeric state with a half-life of 2.8(5) ms and an excitation energy $\ge 910$ keV was found in $^{249}$Md. In $^{251}$Md, an isomeric state with a half-life of 1.4(3) s and an excitation energy $\ge 844$ keV was found. Similarly to the neighbouring $^{255}$Lr, these two isomeric states are interpreted as 3 quasi-particle high-K states and compared to new theoretical calculations. Excited nuclear configurations were calculated within two scenarios: via blocking nucle…

In-beam spectroscopy with intense ion beams: Evidence for a rotational structure in246Fm

The rotational structure of ${}^{246}$Fm has been investigated using in-beam $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray spectroscopic techniques. The experiment was performed using the JUROGAMII germanium detector array coupled to the gas-filled recoil ion transport unit (RITU) and the gamma recoil electron alpha tagging (GREAT) focal plane detection system. Nuclei of ${}^{246}$Fm were produced using a 186 MeV beam of ${}^{40}$Ar impinging on a ${}^{208}$Pb target. The JUROGAMII array was fully instrumented with Tracking Numerical Treatment 2 Dubna (TNT2D) digital acquisition cards. The use of digital electronics and a rotating target allowed for unprecedented beam intensities of up to 71 particle-nanoamper…

X(5) critical-point symmetries in 138Gd

International audience; The lifetimes of low-lying transitions in 138Gd have been measured using the recoil-distance Doppler-shift technique. The resultant reduced transition probabilities have been compared to X(5) critical-point calculations to assess the potential 'phase-transitional' behaviour of 138Gd. The X(5) symmetry describes the first order 'phase transition' between sphericity, U(5) and an axially deformed nuclear shape, SU(3). Although a high degree of correspondence is observed between the experimental and theoretical excitation energies, the large uncertainties of the experimental B(E2) values cannot preclude contributions from either vibrational or rotational modes of excitat…

Experimental study of isomeric intruder 12+ states in At197,203

A newly observed isomeric intruder ${\textonehalf{}}^{+}$ state $[{T}_{\textonehalf{}}=3.5(6)\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{ms}]$ is identified in $^{203}\mathrm{At}$ using a gas-filled recoil separator and fusion-evaporation reactions. The isomer is depopulated through a cascade of $E3$ and mixed $M1/E2$ transitions to the ${9/2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ ground state, and it is suggested to originate from the $\ensuremath{\pi}{({s}_{\textonehalf{}})}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ configuration. In addition, the structures above the ${\textonehalf{}}^{+}$ state in $^{203}\mathrm{At}$ and $^{197}\mathrm{At}$ are studied using in-beam $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray spectroscopy, recoil-decay tagging, and recoi…

Recoil-decay tagging spectroscopy of74162W88

Excited states in the highly neutron-deficient nucleus W-162 have been investigated via the Mo-92(Kr-78, 2 alpha) W-162 reaction. Prompt gamma rays were detected by the JUROGAM II high-purity germa ...

α -decay spectroscopy of the N=130 isotones Ra218 and Th220 : Mitigation of α -particle energy summing with implanted nuclei

© 2019 American Physical Society. An analysis technique has been developed in order to mitigate energy summing due to sequential short-lived α decays from nuclei implanted into a silicon detector. Using this technique, α-decay spectroscopy of the N=130 isotones Ra218 (Z=88) and Th220 (Z=90) has been performed. The energies of the α particles emitted in the Ra218→Rn214 and Th220→Ra216 ground-state-to-ground-state decays have been measured to be 8381(4) keV and 8818(13) keV, respectively. The half-lives of the ground states of Ra218 and Th220 have been measured to be 25.99(10) μs and 10.4(4) μs, respectively. The half-lives of the ground states of the α-decay daughters, Rn214 and Ra216, have …

Prompt gamma ray-spectroscopy of N = 50 fission fragments

Excited states in the nuclei 83 As and 84,86 Se have been studied via prompt -ray spectroscopy. The nuclei were produced by the proton-induced fission of a 238 U target, at the accelerator of the University of Jyvaskyla. The JUROGAM-II array was used to detect prompt -rays and a triple- coincidence analysis performed. A comparison of the N = 50 nuclei with shell-model calculations reproduces the low-lying states in 83 As and 84 Se well. The inclusion of particle-hole excitations is necessary to correctly describe the states above ∼ 3.5 MeV.

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…

Recoil isomer tagging in the proton-rich odd-oddN=77isotones, 65142Tband 67144Ho

Reduced transition probabilities along the yrast line in W-166

WOS: 000406755100001

Isomeric 13/2+ (νi13/2−1) state in 211Th

Using a fusion-evaporation reaction and a gas-filled recoil separator, an isomeric state [T12=83(8)μs] with a most likely spin and parity of 132+ has been identified in Th211. The isomeric state is mainly depopulated via a hindered internal M2 transition [B(M2)=0.0025(5) W.u.], but also a weak α-decay branch of 4(3)% was observed. The present observations fit well to the systematic pattern set by the previously identified states of the same spin and parity in this region of the nuclear chart. peerReviewed

Spectroscopy of 70Kr and isospin symmetry in the T = 1 f pg shell nuclei

International audience; The recoil-β tagging technique has been used in conjunction with the 40 Ca(32 S ,2n) reaction at a beam energy of 88 MeV to identify transitions associated with the decay of the 2 + and, tentatively, 4 + states in the nucleus 70 Kr. These data are used, along with previously published data, to examine the triplet energy differences (TED) for the mass 70 isobars. The experimental TED values are compared with shell model calculations, performed with the JUN45 interaction in the fpg model space, that include a J = 0 isospin nonconserving (INC) interaction with an isotensor strength of 100 keV. The agreement is found to be very good up to spin 4 and supports the expectat…

Stability of the heaviest elements : K isomer in 250No

Decay spectroscopy of 250No has been performed using digital electronics and pulse-shape analysis of the fast nuclear decays for the first time. Previous studies of 250No reported two distinct fission decay lifetimes, related to the direct fission of the ground state and to the decay of an isomeric state but without the possibility to determine if the isomeric state decayed directly via fission or via internal electromagnetic transitions to the ground state. The data obtained in the current experiment allowed the puzzle to finally be resolved, attributing the shorter half-life of t1/2 = 3.8 ± 0.3 μs to the ground state and the longer half-life t1/2 = 34.9+3.9 −3.2 μs to the decay of an isom…

Shape coexistence in $^{178}$Hg

Lifetime measurements of excited states in 178 Hg have been performed using the 103 Rh ( 78 Kr , p 2 n ) reaction at a beam energy of 354 MeV. The recoil-decay tagging (RDT) technique was applied to select the 178 Hg nuclei and associate the prompt γ rays with the correlated characteristic ground-state α decay. Lifetimes of the four lowest yrast states of 178 Hg have been determined using the recoil distance Doppler-shift (RDDS) method. The experimental data are compared to theoretical predictions with focus on shape coexistence. The results confirm the shift of the deformed prolate structures to higher lying states but also indicate their increasing deformation with decreasing neutron numb…

Anomalous transition strength in the proton-unbound nucleus I5653109

A lifetime measurement has been made for the first excited 11/2(+) state in the proton-unbound nucleus (109)(53)I56 using the recoil-distance Doppler-shift method in conjunction with recoil-proton ...

In-beam gamma-ray and electron spectroscopy of $^{249,251}$Md

The odd-Z Md251 nucleus was studied using combined γ-ray and conversion-electron in-beam spectroscopy. Besides the previously observed rotational band based on the [521]1/2− configuration, another rotational structure has been identified using γ-γ coincidences. The use of electron spectroscopy allowed the rotational bands to be observed over a larger rotational frequency range. Using the transition intensities that depend on the gyromagnetic factor, a [514]7/2− single-particle configuration has been inferred for this band, i.e., the ground-state band. A physical background that dominates the electron spectrum with an intensity of ≃60% was well reproduced by simulating a set of unresolved ex…

A Recoil-Beta Tagging Study of N = Z nucleus [sup 66]As

A Recoil‐Beta Tagging (RBT) experiment was recently performed at the accelerator laboratory at the University of Jyvaskyla in order to identify T = 1 excited states in the medium‐heavy N = Z = 33 nucleus 66As. The fusion‐evaporation reaction 28Si(40Ca,pn)66As was employed at a beam energy of 75 MeV. The experiment was carried out utilising the JUROGAM II γ‐ray spectrometer in conjunction with the gas‐filled recoil separator RITU and the GREAT focal plane spectrometer system. The half‐lives and ordering of the two known isomeric states in 66As have been determined. In addition, several new prompt γ‐ray transitions from excited states both bypassing and decaying to the isomeric states in 66As…

In-beam spectroscopy using the JYFL gas-filled magnetic recoil separator RITU

The techniques of recoil-gating and recoil-decay tagging have been employed at Jyvaskyla to perform in-beam γ-ray and electron spectroscopy studies of heavy nuclei. The JUROSPHERE γ-ray array and the SACRED electron spectrometer have been placed at the target position of the JYFL gas-filled recoil separator recoil ion transport unit (RITU). The RITU separator has been used to collect the recoils of interest and separate them from beam particles and fission products. At the focal plane a detector system consisting of time-of-flight and implantation detectors has been used for further event identification. The method and some highlights from the results in the lead region close to the proton …

A time-of-flight correction procedure for fast-timing data of recoils with varying implantation positions at a spectrometer focal plane

Abstract Fast-timing measurements at the focal plane of a separator can suffer from poor timing resolution. This is due to the variations in time-of-flight (ToF) for photons travelling to a given detector, which arise from the changes in the implantation positions of the recoil nuclei emitting the γ rays of interest. In order to minimise these effects on timing measurements, a procedure is presented that improves fast-timing data by performing ToF corrections on an event-by-event basis. This method was used to correct data collected with an array of eight LaBr 3 detectors, which detected γ rays from spatially distributed 138Gd recoil-implants at the focal plane of the Recoil-Ion-Transport-U…

Promptγ-ray spectroscopy of the neutron-rich124Cd

Prompt γ -ray spectroscopy of neutron-rich cadmium isotopes has been performed. The nuclei of interest have been populated via a 25-MeV, proton-induced fission of the 238 U thick target and prompt γ -rays measured using the multi-detector HPGe array JUROGAM II. New high-spin decays have been observed and placed in the level scheme using triple coincidence gates. The experimental results are compared to shell-model calculations and show good agreement.

The design of a new gas-filled separator at JYFL

Abstract A new gas-filled recoil separator, intended mainly for the study of reaction products in mass region of 100–200 produced in symmetric or nearly symmetric reactions, is under design at the Department of Physics in the University of Jyvaskyla. The separator will be of the type DQQ where a horizontally focusing dipole (D) is followed by a quadrupole (Q) doublet. The bending radius of the dipole magnet will be 1850 mm and the bending angle 50°.

A new recoil distance technique using low energy coulomb excitation in inverse kinematics

Abstract We report on the first experiment combining the Recoil Distance Doppler Shift technique and multistep Coulomb excitation in inverse kinematics at beam energies of 3–10 A MeV. The setup involves a standard plunger device equipped with a degrader foil instead of the normally used stopper foil. An array of particle detectors is positioned at forward angles to detect target-like recoil nuclei which are used as a trigger to discriminate against excitations in the degrader foil. The method has been successfully applied to measure lifetimes in 128Xe and is suited to be a useful tool for experiments with radioactive ion beams.

Decays of new nuclides and isomers beyond the proton drip line - The influence of neutron configurations

Bozok University;Erciyes University;et al.;Istanbul University;Nigde University;The Turkish Atomic Energy Authority (TAEK)

Shape coexistence at the proton drip-line: First identification of excited states inPb180

Excited states in the extremely neutron-deficient nucleus {sup 180}Pb have been identified for the first time using the JUROGAM II array in conjunction with the RITU recoil separator at the Accelerator Laboratory of the University of Jyvaeskylae. This study lies at the limit of what is presently achievable with in-beam spectroscopy, with an estimated cross section of only 10 nb for the {sup 92}Mo({sup 90}Zr,2n){sup 180}Pb reaction. A continuation of the trend observed in {sup 182}Pb and {sup 184}Pb is seen, where the prolate minimum continues to rise beyond the N=104 midshell with respect to the spherical ground state. Beyond-mean-field calculations are in reasonable correspondence with the…

Recoil-beta tagging: A novel technique for studying proton-drip-line nuclei

Abstract Tagging with charged particles and γ -rays at the focal plane of recoil separators has proven, over the last two decades, to be a very powerful tool for the identification of excited states in exotic nuclei produced with very low cross-sections. One of the key areas so far unexplored in terms of the tagging methodology has been performing correlations with β -particles at the focal plane of a recoil separator. A new technique entitled Recoil-Beta Tagging (RBT) has been developed, this technique exploits the unusual properties of Fermi super-allowed β emitters, which have both a short half-life ( ∼ 100 ms ) and high β + -endpoint energy. Correlating with such β -particles using a do…

De-excitation of the strongly coupled band in 177Au and implications for core intruder configurations in the light Hg isotopes

International audience; Excited states in the proton-unbound nuclide $^{177}$Au were populated in the $^92}$Mo($^{88}$Sr, p2n) reaction and identified using the Jurogam-II and GREAT spectrometers in conjunction with the RITU gas-filled separator at the University of Jyväskylä Accelerator Laboratory. A strongly coupled band and its decay path to the 11/2−α-decaying isomer have been identified using recoil-decay tagging. Comparisons with cranked Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (HFB) calculations based on Skyrme energy functionals suggest that the band has a prolate deformation and is based upon coupling the odd 1h11/2 proton hole to the excited 02+ configuration in the $^{178}$Hg core. Although these…

Spectroscopy on the proton drip-line: Probing the structure dependence of isospin nonconserving interactions

J. Henderson et al. ; 4 pags. ; 4 figs. ; PACS number(s): 21.10.Re, 21.60.Cs, 23.20.Lv, 27.50.+e

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 135Nd which together with the previously reported negative-parity chiral doublet bands constitute a third case of multiple chiral doublet (MχD) bands in the A ≈ 130 mass region. The properties of the MχD bands are well reproduced by constrained covariant density functional theory and particle rotor model calculations. The newly observed MχD bands in 135Nd represents an important milestone in supporting the existence of MχD in nuclei. peerReviewed

Exploring the boundaries of the nuclear landscape : α-decay properties of 211Pa

Employing the recoil ion transport unit (RITU) and a fusion-evaporation reaction, the α decay of 211Pa has been identified via the implantation-decay correlation technique through observation of chains up to four consecutive decays. An α-particle energy and half-life of 8320(40) keV and 3.8+4.6−1.4 ms, respectively, were measured, corresponding to favored α decay. In addition, more precise α-decay properties of 212Pa and 213Pa were obtained due to accumulated statistics. The present data were compared to those predicted by selected atomic mass models and it was used to estimate the possibility of observing proton emission from these isotopes. peerReviewed

Investigation of nuclear collectivity in the neutron mid-shell nucleusPb186

For the first time, non-yrast structures of the neutron mid-shell nucleus $^{186}\mathrm{Pb}$ have been identified in an in-beam \ensuremath{\gamma}-ray spectroscopy measurement using the recoil-decay tagging technique. The yrast band has been tentatively extended up to ${I}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}=20{}^{+},$ revealing a similar backbend to that observed in the Pt and Hg isotones. Three new bands and several other transitions have been observed. Calculations carried out in the framework of the interacting boson model together with mean-field studies using the generator coordinate method provide arguments for the association of one of the new bands with an oblate shape. The present data also show…

First observation of excited states inHg17595

Excited states of the neutron-deficient nucleus Hg-175, populated using fusion-evaporation reactions, are reported for the first time. The spin and parity of the ground state has been determined to ...

Evidence for oblate structure inPb186

In-beam $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ coincidence data have been collected for $^{186}\mathrm{Pb}$ by combining the JUROGAM Ge-detector array and the GREAT spectrometer with the RITU gas-filled recoil separator for recoil-decay tagging measurements. In addition to the known prolate yrast band in $^{186}\mathrm{Pb}$, these data have enabled a new low-lying side band to be identified. Based on the analysis of its decay pattern and comparison with Interacting Boson Model (IBM) calculations, the new band is associated with an oblate shape.

Structure of rotational bands in 253No

In-beam gamma-ray and conversion electron spectroscopic studies have been performed on the 253 No nucleus. A strongly coupled rotational band has been identified and the improved statistics allows an assignment of the band structure as built on the $\ensuremath 9/2^-[734]_{\nu}$ ground state. The results agree with previously known transition energies but disagree with the tentative structural assignments made in earlier work.

Lifetime measurements of excited states in $^{162}$W and $^{164}$W and the evolution of collectivity in rare-earth nuclei

International audience; Lifetimes of the first excited 2+ states in the extremely neutron-deficient $^{162}$W and $^{164}$W nuclei have been measured using the recoil distance Doppler shift technique. Experimental B(E2) data for the isotopic chains of hafnium, tungsten, and osmium, from the midshell region near the β-stability line towards the N=82 closed shell and the most neutron-deficient nuclides, are compared with predictions of nuclear deformations and 21+→0g.s.+ reduced transition strengths from different classes of state-of-the-art theoretical model calculations. The results reveal striking differences and deficiencies in the predictive power of current nuclear structure models.

Shape coexistence in odd-mass Au isotopes: Determination of the excitation energy of the lowest intruder state in ^{179}Au

Abstract Phenomenon of the shape coexistence has been investigated in 17979Au100. This very neutron-deficient isotope, 18 neutrons away from the stable gold isotope 19779Au118, was studied by a combination of α-decay and isomer-decay spectroscopy employing the ritu gas-filled separator and the great focal-plane spectrometer at the University of Jyvaskyla. A new isomer with t 1 / 2 = 328 ( 2 ) ns was observed and states associated with π d 3 / 2 − 1 , π s 1 / 2 − 1 , π f 7 / 2 + 1 and π h 9 / 2 + 1 structures were revealed. The implications of these results on the systematics of π h 9 / 2 + 1 and π f 7 / 2 + 1 intruder structures in the odd-mass gold isotopes are discussed. The minimum of th…

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.

Excited states in Ra217 populated in the α decay of Th221

Fine structure in the α decay of Th90221, populating excited states in Ra88217, was studied using αγ-coincidence spectroscopy. Two α-decay branches from Th221 have been newly observed, with Eα(keV)[bα(%)]=7951(8)[0.14(3)] and 8247(3)[1.51(12)], together with three previously known branches. Also, two new states in Ra217 were identified at E = 177 and 227 keV. The ground-state configurations of the odd-A, N = 131 transitional isotones above Pb208 are interpreted from their α-decay fine structure systematics and considered in terms of predictions using spherical shell and reflection-asymmetric models.

α-spectroscopy studies of the new nuclides 165Pt and 170Hg

The new nuclides 165Pt and 170Hg were produced in the reactions 92Mo(78Kr,5n) and 96Ru(78Kr,4n) at bombarding energies of 418 MeV and 390 MeV, respectively. For 170Hg an α-particle energy of Eα=7590(30)keV and half-life of t1/2=0.08+0.40−0.04ms were deduced, while for 165Pt the corresponding values were 7272(14) keV and 0.26+0.26−0.09ms. Comparison of the reduced α-decay widths with systematics indicates that both α decays are unhindered. Although combining the measured α-decay Q values with extrapolated masses suggests that both new nuclides are unbound to two-proton emission by more than 1 MeV, their α-decay half-lives are too short for this decay mode to compete. Improved data were also …

Spectroscopy ofAt201including the observation of a shears band and the29/2+isomeric state

The excited states of $^{201}\mathrm{At}$ were studied and an isomeric $29/{2}^{+}$ state $[{T}_{\textonehalf{}}=3.39(9)\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{s}]$ was identified by using a fusion-evaporation reaction, a gas-filled recoil separator, and recoil gating techniques. The $29/{2}^{+}$ state is suggested to originate from the $\ensuremath{\pi}({h}_{9/2})\ensuremath{\bigotimes}|^{200}\mathrm{Po};{11}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\rangle}$ configuration, and it decays through the 269- and 339-keV $E2$- and $E3$-type transitions, respectively. Moreover, a cascade of magnetic dipole transitions that is suggested to originate from a shears band was observed by using recoil-…

Characterizing the atomic mass surface beyond the proton drip line via a-decay measurements of the s1/2 ground state of 165Re and the h11/2 isomer in 161Ta

The a-decay chains originating from the s1/2 and h11/2 states in 173Au have been investigated following fusion-evaporation reactions. Four generations of a radioactivities have been correlated with 173Aum leading to a measurement of the a decay of 161Tam. It has been found that the known a decay of 161Ta, which was previously associated with the decay of the ground state, is in fact the decay of an isomeric state. This work also reports on the first observation of prompt g rays feeding the ground state of 173Au. This prompt radiation was used to aid the study of the a-decay chain originating from the s1/2 state in 173Au. Three generations of a decays have been correlated with this state lea…

Shell-Structure and Pairing Interaction in Superheavy Nuclei: Rotational Properties of the Z=104 Nucleus (256)Rf

The rotational band structure of the Z ¼ 104 nucleus 256Rf has been observed up to a tentative spin of 20@ using state-of-the-art -ray spectroscopic techniques. This represents the first such measurement in a superheavy nucleus whose stability is entirely derived from the shell-correction energy. The observed rotational properties are compared to those of neighboring nuclei and it is shown that the kinematic and dynamic moments of inertia are sensitive to the underlying single-particle shell structure and the specific location of high-j orbitals. The moments of inertia therefore provide a sensitive test of shell structure and pairing in superheavy nuclei which is essential to ensure the val…

Direct observation of theBa114→Xe110→Te106→Sn102tripleα-decay chain using position and time correlations

The triple $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-decay chain $^{114}\mathrm{Ba}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}^{110}\mathrm{Xe}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}^{106}\mathrm{Te}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}^{102}\mathrm{Sn}$ has been directly observed for the first time, following the $^{58}\mathrm{Ni}(^{58}\mathrm{Ni},2n)$ reaction. Implantation of $^{114}\mathrm{Ba}$ nuclei into a double-sided silicon-strip detector has allowed their $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ decays to be correlated in position and time with the $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ decays of the daughter $(^{110}\mathrm{Xe})$ and granddaughter $(^{106}\mathrm{Te})$ nuclei. In total, 17 events have been assigned to the $^{114}\mathrm{Ba}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}^{110}\mathrm{Xe}…

Lifetime measurements of excited states in ¹⁶³W and the implications for the anomalous B(E2) ratios in transitional nuclei

This letter reports lifetime measurements of excited states in the odd-N nucleus $^{163}$W using the recoil-distance Doppler shift method to probe the core polarising effect of the i13/2 neutron orbital on the underlying soft triaxial even-even core. The ratio B(E2:21/2+→17/2+)/B(E2:17/2+→13/2+) is consistent with the predictions of the collective rotational model. The deduced B(E2) values provide insights into the validity of collective model predictions for heavy transitional nuclei and a geometric origin for the anomalous B(E2) ratios observed in nearby even-even nuclei is proposed.

Reinvestigation of the excited states in the proton emitter $^{151}$Lu: particle-hole excitations across the $N=Z=64$ subshell

The excited states of the proton emitter $^{151}$Lu were reinvestigated in a recoil-decay tagging experiment at the Accelerator Laboratory of the University of Jyv\"askyl\"a (JYFL). The level scheme built on the ground state of $^{151}$Lu was updated with five new $\gamma$-ray transitions. Large-scale shell model calculations were carried out to interpret the experimental level scheme. It is found that the excitation energies of states above the $27/2^-$ and $23/2^+$ isomeric levels can be sensitive to excitations from $g_{7/2}$ and $d_{5/2}$ to single-particle orbitals above $N=Z=64$.

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…

Identification of sub-μs isomeric states in the odd-odd nucleus 178Au

The neutron-deficient gold (Z=79) isotopes in the vicinity of the neutron midshell N=104 provide prolific examples of shape coexistence and isomerism at low excitation energy. They can be probed via a number of different experimental techniques. In this study, two new isomeric states with half-lives of 294(7) and 373(9) ns have been observed in the neutron-deficient odd-odd nuclide 178Au (N=99) in an experiment at the RITU gas-filled separator at JYFL, Jyväskylä. This result was achieved due to the use of a segmented planar germanium detector with a high efficiency at low energies. By applying the recoil-decay tagging technique, they were assigned to decay to two different long-lived α-deca…

Towards saturation of the electron-capture delayed fission probability: The new isotopes $^{240}Es$ and $^{236}Bk$

Abstract The new neutron-deficient nuclei 240 Es and 236 Bk were synthesised at the gas-filled recoil separator RITU. They were identified by their radioactive decay chains starting from 240 Es produced in the fusion–evaporation reaction 209 Bi( 34 S,3n) 240 Es. Half-lives of 6 ( 2 ) s and 22 − 6 + 13 s were obtained for 240 Es and 236 Bk, respectively. Two groups of α particles with energies E α = 8.19 ( 3 ) MeV and 8.09 ( 3 ) MeV were unambiguously assigned to 240 Es. Electron-capture delayed fission branches with probabilities of 0.16 ( 6 ) and 0.04 ( 2 ) were measured for 240 Es and 236 Bk, respectively. These new data show a continuation of the exponential increase of ECDF probabilitie…

Isomeric and ground-state properties of78171Pt,76167Os, and74163W

Decay paths, half-lives, and excitation energies of the i(13/2) bandheads of the neutron-deficient nuclei Pt-171, Os-167, and W-163 have been established for the first time. Gamma-ray transitions, ...

Decay of a 19(-) isomeric state in Lu-156

A multiparticle spin-trap isomeric state having a half-life of 179(4) ns and lying 2601 keV above the yrast 10(+) state in Lu-156 has been discovered. The Lu-156 nuclei were produced by bombarding isotopically enriched Cd-106 targets with beams of Ni-58 ions, separated in flight using the gas-filled separator RITU and their decays were measured using the GREAT spectrometer. Analysis of the main decay path that populates yrast states observed previously suggests a spin-parity assignment of 19(-) for the isomeric state, which is consistent with isomeric states identified in the N = 85 isotones. Comparison with other decay paths in Lu-156 indicates that the [pi h(11/)(2)(-1) circle times nu h(…

Identification of excited states in doubly odd63140Eu77by recoil-isomer tagging

The 36Ar + 107Ag fusion-evapn. reaction was used to search for isomeric states in the N = 77 isotope 140Eu near the proton-drip line. The recoiling nuclei were implanted into a Si detector, at the focal plane of a gas-filled separator, where prompt and delayed g-ray transitions were correlated across isomeric states using recoil-isomer tagging. The feeding and decay of a new 299(3) ns isomeric state was established. This measurement represents the first observation of excited high-spin states in 140Eu. The behavior of the new states above the isomer is discussed in terms of theor. calcns. based upon the cranked-shell model and upon the exptl. systematics of other N = 77 isotones. Within thi…

γ-Ray Spectroscopy at the Limits: First Observation of Rotational Bands inLr255

The rotational band structure of Lr-255 has been investigated using advanced in-beam gamma-ray spectroscopic techniques. To date, Lr-255 is the heaviest nucleus to be studied in this manner. One ro ...

Collectivity and Configuration Mixing inPb186,188andPo194

Lifetimes of prolate intruder states in {sup 186}Pb and oblate intruder states in {sup 194}Po have been determined by employing, for the first time, the recoil-decay tagging technique in recoil distance Doppler-shift lifetime measurements. In addition, lifetime measurements of prolate states in {sup 188}Pb up to the 8{sup +} state were carried out using the recoil-gating method. The B(E2) values have been deduced from which deformation parameters vertical bar {beta}{sub 2} vertical bar =0.29(5) and vertical bar {beta}{sub 2} vertical bar =0.17(3) for the prolate and the oblate bands, respectively, have been extracted. The results also shed new light on the mixing between different shapes.

Spectroscopy of transfermium nuclei: No-252(102)

An in-beam study of excited states in the transfermium nucleus 252 No has been performed using the recoil separator RITU together with the JUROSPHERE II array at the University of Jyväskylä. This is the second transfermium nucleus studied in an in-beam experiment. Levels up to spin 20 were populated and compared to levels in 254 No . An upbend is seen at a frequency of 200 keV/ħ corresponding to spin 16. We also use an improved systematics to connect the energy of the lowest 2 + state with its half-life and find that the deformation of both 2 5 2 , 2 5 4 No is slightly larger than previously assumed. peerReviewed

Lifetime measurements in 166Re : Collective versus magnetic rotation

WOS: 000371740600004

Decay of aπh11/2⊗νh11/2microsecond isomer in61136Pm75

An experiment has been performed to populate several extremely neutron-deficient nuclei around the mass-140 region of the nuclear chart, using a beam of {sup 54}Fe on a {sup 92}Mo target at an energy of 315 MeV. Analysis of these data using recoil-isomer tagging has established that the yrast {pi}h{sub 11/2} x {nu}h{sub 11/2},J{sup {pi}}=(8{sup +}), bandhead state in {sup 136}Pm is isomeric with a half-life of 1.5(1) {mu}s. This isomeric state decays via a 43-keV, probable-E1 transition to a J{sup {pi}}=(7{sup -}) state. Consideration of the theoretical Nilsson orbitals near the Fermi surface suggests that the J{sup {pi}}=(8{sup +}) state has a {nu}h{sub 11/2}[505](11/2){sup -} x {pi}h{sub …

Signatures of enhanced octupole correlations at high spin in 136Nd

Experimental signatures of moderately enhanced octupole correlations at high spin in 136Nd are indicated for the first time. The extracted dipole moments of two negative-parity bands are only two times smaller than those of the lanthanide nuclei with N≈90 which present well-established octupole correlations. Calculations using the cranked quasiparticle random phase approximation and a model of quadrupole-octupole rotations with octupole vibrations reveal the structure of the bands and the enhanced octupole correlations at high spin in 136Nd. peerReviewed

Collectivity ofPo196at low spin

Absolute electromagnetic transition probabilities in $^{196}\mathrm{Po}$ have been measured using the recoil distance Doppler-shift technique. The lifetimes of the three lowest yrast states in $^{196}\mathrm{Po}$ were extracted from singles \ensuremath{\gamma}-ray spectra by using the recoil-decay tagging method. In addition, configuration mixing calculations of angular momentum projected mean-field states have been carried out for $^{196}\mathrm{Po}$. The present study sheds light on the onset of collectivity and mixing of competing structures in neutron-deficient Po nuclei.

Quasiparticle alignments andα-decay fine structure of175Pt

Excited states and decay properties of ${}^{175}$Pt have been investigated using the ${}^{92}$Mo${(}^{86}\mathrm{Sr},2pn)$ fusion-evaporation reaction. The JUROGAM I $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray spectrometer and the GREAT spectrometer were used in conjunction with the gas-filled recoil separator RITU for the measurement of the radiation at the target and focal plane positions, respectively. Two new band structures, assigned to be based on the ${I}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}=({{}^{7}{/}_{2}}^{\ensuremath{-}})$ ground state in ${}^{175}$Pt, have been established and the known yrast band has been extended up to ${I}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}=({{}^{49}{/}_{2}}^{+})$. Rotational properties of the excited states i…

In-beam electron spectrometer used in conjunction with a gas-filled recoil separator

The conversion-electron spectrometer SACRED has been redesigned for use in conjunction with the RITU gas-filled recoil separator. The system allows in-beam recoil-decay-tagging (RDT) measurements of internal conversion electrons. The performance of the system using standard sources and in-beam is described.

High-Kstructure inFm250and the deformed shell gaps atN=152andZ=100

The structure of high-spin and nonyrast states of the transfermium nucleus $^{250}\mathrm{Fm}$ has been studied in detail. The isomeric nature of a two-quasiparticle excitation has been exploited in order to obtain spectroscopic data of exceptional quality. The data allow the configuration of an isomer first discovered over 30 years ago to be deduced, and provide an unambiguous determination of the location of neutron single-particle states in a very heavy nucleus. A comparison to the known two-quasiparticle structure of $^{254,252}\mathrm{No}$ confirms the existence of the deformed shell gaps at $N=152$ and $Z=100$.

A NEW PLUNGER DEVICE FOR INVESTIGATING THE EFFECTS OF DEFORMATION ON PROTON EMISSION RATES VIA LIFETIME MEASUREMENTS

A new plunger device has been designed and built to measure the lifetimes of unbound states in exotic nuclei beyond the proton drip-line. The device is designed to work in both vacuum and dilute-gas environments made possible through the introduction of a lowvoltage piezoelectric motors. The differential plunger for unbound nuclear states, DPUNS, will be used in conjunction with the gas-filled separator RITU and the vacuum separator MARA at the accelerator laboratory of the University of Jyvaskyla, Finland, to measure the lifetimes of excited states with low population cross-sections. This is achieved by eliminating the need for a carbon foil to isolate the helium gas of RITU from the beam …

Isomer-tagged differential-plunger measurements in proton-unbound 144Ho

The lifetime of an excited state above a weakly populated isomer in the proton-unbound odd-odd nucleus 144Ho has been measured using the recoil distance Doppler shift method. This measurement represents the first differential-plunger lifetime measurement to utilize recoil-isomer tagging. The first excited I[pi]=(10+) state above the two-quasiparticle [pi]h11/2[circle times operator][nu]h11/2(8+) isomer was determined to have a lifetime of [tau]=6(1)�ps. Potential energy surface calculations, based on the configuration-constrained blocking method, predict the isomeric state to have [gamma]-soft triaxial-nuclear shape with [gamma][approximate]24�. The lifetime of the (10+) state can be unders…

Spectroscopy of Kr70 and isospin symmetry in the T=1 fpg shell nuclei

The recoil-β tagging technique has been used in conjunction with the 40 Ca(32 S ,2n) reaction at a beam energy of 88 MeV to identify transitions associated with the decay of the 2 + and, tentatively, 4 + states in the nucleus 70 Kr. These data are used, along with previously published data, to examine the triplet energy differences (TED) for the mass 70 isobars. The experimental TED values are compared with shell model calculations, performed with the JUN45 interaction in the fpg model space, that include a J = 0 isospin nonconserving (INC) interaction with an isotensor strength of 100 keV. The agreement is found to be very good up to spin 4 and supports the expectation for analog states th…

Level structure above the 17+ isomeric state in Tm8369152

The isomeric structure of132Pr

The isomeric structure of the neutron deficient nucleus 132Pr, located in the rare-earth region of the nuclear chart, has been studied with the 98Mo(40Ar,5pn)132Pr reaction at beam energies of 150, 158 and 165 MeV. The experiment was performed at the University of Jyvaskyla, Finland where the 40Ar beam was accelerated onto the target by the K130 cyclotron. The JUROGAM II HPGe detector array was employed in conjunction with the RITU gas-filled recoil separator. The focal-plane chamber housed a multi wire proportional counter and a position-sensitive silicon strip detector used for the implantation and identification of recoiling nuclei. The recoil-isomer tagging technique was used to correla…

Characterizing the atomic mass surface beyond the proton drip line viaα-decay measurements of theπs1/2ground state of165Re and theπh11/2isomer in161Ta

The α-decay chains originating from the πs1/2 and πh11/2 states in 173Au have been investigated following fusion-evaporation reactions. Four generations of α radioactivities have been correlated with 173Aum leading to a measurement of the α decay of 161Tam. It has been found that the known α decay of 161Ta, which was previously associated with the decay of the ground state, is in fact the decay of an isomeric state. This work also reports on the first observation of prompt γ rays feeding the ground state of 173Au. This prompt γ radiation was used to aid the study of the α-decay chain originating from the πs1/2 state in 173Au. Three generations of α decays have been correlated with this stat…

Competing Decay Modes of a High-spin Isomer in the Proton-unbound Nucleus $^{158}$Ta

An isomeric state at high spin and excitation energy was recently observed in the proton-unbound nucleus 158Ta. This state was observed to decay by both α and γ decay modes. The large spin change r ...

Lifetime Measurements of Excited States in $^{172}$Pt and the Variation of Quadrupole Transition Strength with Angular Momentum

Lifetimes of the first excited 2 + and 4 + states in the extremely neutron-deficient nuclide 172 Pt have been measured for the first time using the recoil-distance Doppler shift and recoil-decay tagging techniques. An unusually low value of the ratio B ( E 2 : 4 + 1 → 2 + 1 ) / B ( E 2 : 2 + 1 → 0 + gs ) = 0.55 ( 19 ) was found, similar to a handful of other such anomalous cases observed in the entire Segré chart. The observation adds to a cluster of a few extremely neutron-deficient nuclides of the heavy transition metals with neutron numbers N ≈ 90 – 94 featuring the effect. No theoretical model calculations reported to date have been able to explain the anomalously low B ( E 2 : 4 + 1 → …

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…

Precision measurements of proton emission from the ground states of 156Ta and 160Re

The decays of the πd3/2 ground states of 156Ta and 160Re have been studied in detail using the GREAT spectrometer. More than 7000 160Re nuclei were produced in reactions of 290- and 300-MeV 58Ni ions with an isotopically enriched 106Cd target and separated in flight using the RITU separator. The proton and α decays of the πd3/2 level were confirmed and the half-life and branching ratios of this state were determined with improved precision to be t1/2=611±7 μs and bp=89±1% and bα=11±1%, respectively. The α-decay branch populated the ground state of 156Ta, allowing improved values for the proton-decay energy and half-life to be obtained (Ep=1011±5 keV; t1/2=106±4 ms). The β decay of this leve…

Decay of the high-spin isomer in 160Re: Changing single-particle structure beyond the proton drip line

WOS: 000286708700015

Lifetime measurements and shape coexistence inDy144

The known level scheme of {sup 144}Dy has been extended and lifetime measurements have been made with the recoil-distance Doppler-shift method. Reduced transition probabilities and deformations have been determined for four low-lying transitions. These states form part of the first observed band crossing, giving information on the change in nuclear deformation resulting from the rearrangement of h{sub 11/2} protons in the nucleus. Two bands built upon excited 10{sup +} states have been assigned pi(h{sub 11/2}){sup 2} prolate and nu(h{sub 11/2}){sup -2} oblate configurations with tau=12(2)ps and 0.01<tau < or approx. 16ns, respectively. These long lifetimes are reasoned to be a result of sha…

Transition probability studies in175Au

Transition probabilities have been measured between the low-lying yrast states in 175Au by employing the recoil distance Doppler-shift method combined with the selective recoil-decay tagging technique. Reduced transition probabilities and magnitudes of transition quadrupole moments have been extracted from measured lifetimes allowing dramatic changes in nuclear structure within a low excitation-energy range to probed. The transition quadrupole moment data are discussed in terms of available systematics as a function of atomic number and aligned angular momentum.

Blurring the Boundaries: Decays of Multiparticle Isomers at the Proton Drip Line

A multiparticle spin-trap isomer has been discovered in the proton-unbound nucleus Ta85 73158. The isomer mainly decays by γ-ray emission with a half-life of 6.1(1) μs. Analysis of the γ-ray data shows that the isomer lies 2668 keV above the known 9+ state and has a spin 10 higher and negative parity. This 19- isomer also has an 8644(11) keV, 1.4(2)% α-decay branch that populates the 9+ state in Lu154. No proton-decay branch from the isomer was identified, despite the isomer being unbound to proton emission by 3261(14) keV. This remarkable stability against proton emission is compared with theoretical predictions, and the implications for the extent of observable nuclides are considered. © …

Enhancing the sensitivity of recoil-beta tagging

Tagging with β-particles at the focal plane of a recoil separator has been shown to be an effective technique for the study of exotic proton-rich nuclei. This article describes three new pieces of apparatus used to greatly improve the sensitivity of the recoil-beta tagging technique. These include a highly-pixelated double-sided silicon strip detector, a plastic phoswich detector for discriminating high-energy β-particles, and a charged-particle veto box. The performance of these new detectors is described and characterised, and the resulting improvements are discussed.

Competing quasiparticle configurations in W-163

WOS: 000274002700019

Production cross section and decay study of $^{243}$Es and $^{249}$Md

In the study of the odd-$Z$, even-$N$ nuclei $^{243}$Es and $^{249}$Md, performed at the University of Jyv\"askyl\"a, the fusion-evaporation reactions $^{197}$Au($^{48}$Ca,2$n$)$^{243}$Es and $^{203}$Tl($^{48}$Ca,2$n$)$^{249}$Md have been used for the first time. Fusion-evaporation residues were selected and detected using the RITU gas-filled separator coupled with the focal-plane spectrometer GREAT. For $^{243}$Es, the recoil decay correlation analysis yielded a half-life of $24 \pm 3$s, and a maximum production cross section of $37 \pm 10$ nb. In the same way, a half-life of $26 \pm 1$ s, an $\alpha$ branching ratio of 75 $\pm$ 5%, and a maximum production cross section of 300 $\pm$ 80 nb…

Probing intruder structures in lead nuclei

In-beam γ-ray spectroscopy measurements provide important information on coexisting normal and intruder configurations in lead nuclei. However, in these experiments the yrast states are preferentially populated so that in many cases nothing is known about non-yrast states that are essential for obtaining a fuller understanding. Complementary experiments designed to study fine structure in the a decays of polonium nuclei have led to the discovery of low-spin non-yrast states in the daughter lead nuclei, while higher-spin states can be identified through the γ decays of isomeric states. The α-decay studies have the additional benefit of allowing information on configuration mixing in the polo…

Recoil-isomer tagging techniques at RITU

Techniques have been developed to study isomeric states in nuclei with the use of RITU (gas filled separator) at the University of Jyvaskyla. The first was the recoil-isomer tagging technique initially, utilised by D.M. Cullen to study the K π = 8− isomeric state in 138Gd [1]. The juro-sphere array was employed in conjunction with ritu and a focal plane array which consisted of several Compton-suppressed Germanium detectors, placed in close geometry around a multi wire proportional counter (mwpc) and a silicon strip detector used for the implantation of recoiling nuclei. This technique correlates prompt and delayed γ-ray transitions across isomeric states and identifies the lifetime of the …

First prompt in-beam γ-ray spectroscopy of a superheavy element: the256Rf

Using state-of-the-art γ-ray spectroscopic techniques, the first rotational band of a superheavy element, extending up to a spin of 20 , was discovered in the nucleus 256Rf. To perform such an experiment at the limits of the present instrumentation, several developments were needed. The most important of these developments was of an intense isotopically enriched 50Ti beam using the MIVOC method. The experimental set-up and subsequent analysis allowed the 256Rf ground-state band to be revealed. The rotational properties of the band are discussed and compared with neighboring transfermium nuclei through the study of their moments of inertia. These data suggest that there is no evidence of a s…

Lifetime measurements probing triple shape coexistence in ^{175}Au

Lifetimes of the low-lying excited states in the very neutron-deficient nucleus ${}^{175}$Au have been measured by the recoil-distance Doppler-shift method using $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray spectra obtained with the recoil-decay tagging technique. Transition quadrupole moments and reduced transition probabilities extracted for this odd-$Z$ nucleus indicate the existence of three different shapes and the competition between collective and noncollective structures.

New collective structures in 179Au and their implications for the triaxial deformation of the 178Pt core

The extremely neutron-deficient isotope 179Au has been studied by a combination of in-beam γ-ray and isomeric-decay spectroscopy. For in-beam spectroscopy, the recoil-isomer tagging technique was employed, using the known 3/2−, T1/2=328 ns isomer. A new rotational band, associated with the unfavored signature band of the 1h9/2⊕2f7/2 proton-intruder configuration, was revealed. A previously unknown, high-spin isomeric state with an excitation energy of 1743(17) keV and T1/2=2.16(8)µs was discovered. Five decay paths were identified, some of them feeding previously unknown non-yrast excited states, associated with the 1i13/2 proton-intruder configuration. Calculations based on the particle-pl…

Low-lying excited states in the neutron-deficient isotopes163Os and165Os

Excited states in the neutron-deficient isotopes Os-163 and Os-165 were identified using the JUROGAM and GREAT spectrometers in conjunction with the RITU gas-filled separator. The Os-163 and Os-165 nuclei were populated via the Cd-106(Ni-60,3n) and Mo-92(Kr-78,2p3n) reactions at bombarding energies of 270 MeV and 357 MeV, respectively. Gamma-ray emissions from these nuclei have been established unambiguously using the recoil-decay tagging technique and a coincidence analysis has allowed level schemes to be established. These results suggest that the yrast states are based upon negative-parity configurations originating from the f(7/2) and h(9/2) orbitals.

α-Decay branching ratios measured by γ-ray tagging

Abstract The nuclides 168–170Pt were produced by bombarding isotopically enriched 92,94Mo targets with 336, 348 MeV 78Kr ions. Prompt γ rays were detected at the target position and provided a selection criterion for the 168–170Pt nuclei. This technique enables the problem of the background from higher-energy α decays in the spectrum to be circumvented. The Pt nuclei were separated in flight using the gas-filled separator RITU and implanted into the GREAT spectrometer, which was used to study subsequent α decays. The α -decay branching ratios of 164–166Os were deduced from the fraction of selected 168–170Pt nuclei correlated with α decays of 164–166Os. The resulting branching ratios agree w…

Identification of excited states in 107,52Te55

Excited states in the extremely neutron-deficient nucleus 107Te have been identified from two separate experiments using the recoil-decay tagging technique. Two connected structures were observed on the basis of γγ-coincidence relations and tentatively assigned as built on the mixed-parentage νg7/2d5/2 and νh11/2 intruder configurations. The observed structures were compared with large-scale shell-model calculations and total Routhian surface calculations. Collective behavior was discovered to persist in the νh11/2 band of 107Te which highlights the shape-polarizing effect of a single valence neutron occupying the h11/2 intruder orbit as the N=50 shell closure is approached. peerReviewed

Discovery of the proton emitting nucleus $^{159}$Re

Fund. para Cienc. Tecnol., FCT, Minist. Cienc. Tecnol.;Fundacao Calouste Gulbenkian;Fundacao Luso-Americana

Shape coexistence at the proton drip-line: First identification of excited states in 180Pb

Excited states in the extremely neutron-deficient nucleus, 180Pb, have been identified for the first time using the JUROGAM II array in conjunction with the RITU recoil separator at the Accelerator Laboratory of the University of Jyvaskyla. This study lies at the limit of what is presently achievable with in-beam spectroscopy, with an estimated cross-section of only 10 nb for the 92Mo(90Zr,2n)180Pb reaction. A continuation of the trend observed in 182Pb and 184Pb is seen, where the prolate minimum continues to rise beyond the N=104 mid-shell with respect to the spherical ground state. Beyond mean-field calculations are in reasonable correspondence with the trends deduced from experiment.

Proton emission from an oblate nucleus 151Lu

Abstract Excited states in the proton-unbound nucleus 151Lu have been established using γ-ray coincidence techniques. The lifetime of the first excited state above the proton-emitting ground state has been measured using the recoil-distance Doppler-shift method combined with recoil-decay tagging. The experimental level scheme and extracted lifetime have been compared with state-of-the-art theoretical calculations based upon a non-adiabatic deformed Woods–Saxon potential. This comparison suggests that the proton-emitting ground state in 151Lu is mildly oblate with a deformation β = − 0.11 − 0.05 + 0.02 and represents the best evidence to date for proton emission from an oblate nucleus.

Excited states in the proton-unbound nuclide Ta-158

Excited states in the neutron-deficient odd-odd proton-unbound nuclide $^{158}\mathrm{Ta}$ have been investigated in two separate experiments. In the first experiment, $^{166}\mathrm{Ir}$ nuclei were produced in the reactions of 380 MeV $^{78}\mathrm{Kr}$ ions with an isotopically enriched $^{92}\mathrm{Mo}$ target. The $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-decay chain of the ${9}^{+}$ state in $^{166}\mathrm{Ir}$ was analyzed. Fine structure in the $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ decay of the ${9}^{+}$ state in $^{162}\mathrm{Re}$ established a 66 keV difference in excitation energy between the lowest-lying ${9}^{+}$ and ${10}^{+}$ states in $^{158}\mathrm{Ta}$. Higher-lying states in $^{158}\mathrm{Ta}$ were popul…

Decay spectroscopy of 171,172Os and 171,172,174Ir

We report on a study of the α-decay fine structure and the associated Eα−Eγ correlations in the decays of 171,172Os and 171,172,174Ir. In total, 13 new α-decay energy lines have been resolved, and three new γ-ray transitions have been observed following the new decay branches to 168Re and 167W. The weak α-decay branch from the bandhead of the νi13/2 band in 171Os observed in this work highlights an unusual competition between α, β, and electromagnetic decays from this isomeric state. The nucleus 171Os is therefore one of few nuclei observed to exhibit three different decay modes from the same excited state. The nuclei of interest were produced in 92Mo(83Kr,xpyn) fusion-evaporation reactions…

Mass-140 isomers near the proton dripline

An experiment has been performed in Jyvaskyla, Finland, using Jurogam in conjunction with RITU and GREAT. This experiment populated several extremely neutron-deficient nuclei around the mass-140 region of the nuclei chart, using the 92Mo(54Fe, α2n) reaction at 245 MeV. Analysis of these data has revealed several previously unobserved isomeric states, in several nuclei. One of these has been assigned to 143Dy with a half-life of 1.2 ± 0.3 µs. The energies of the prompt γ rays in the band built upon the isomer are in agreement with those previously observed.

Characteristics of segmented super clover detector in close geometry decay measurements

Characteristics of the segmented Super Clover germanium detector response in close geometries have been studied. Results obtained with localising hit pattern recognition are compared with results from add-back and individual crystal analysis. The detector has been used at the focal plane of a gas filled recoil separator to detect isomeric gamma-rays from the nuclei produced in the 150Sm(42Ca,4n)188Pb reaction. Coincidence data from the detector was analysed and the level scheme below the 1.2 μ s isomeric state in 188Pb could be deduced. peerReviewed

Lifetime measurements of excited states in $^{163}$W and the implications for the anomalous B(E2) ratios in transitional nuclei

Grahn, Tuomas/0000-0002-6255-2279; Herzan, Andrej/0000-0002-6736-7638; Cullen, Dave/0000-0002-0041-1606; Barber, Liam/0000-0002-7409-9352; Keatings, James Michael/0000-0003-4271-8021; SAYGI, BAHADIR/0000-0001-5406-506X; Greenlees, Paul/0000-0002-5986-5274; Spagnoletti, Pietro/0000-0002-7674-989X; Parr, Edward/0000-0001-6204-4461; Bondili, S Nara Singh/0000-0002-4096-2429

Identification of Excited States in theTz=1NucleusXe110: Evidence for Enhanced Collectivity near theN=Z=50Double Shell Closure

Gamma-ray transitions have been identified for the first time in the extremely neutron-deficient (N=Z+2) nucleus {sup 110}Xe, and the energies of the three lowest excited states in the ground-state band have been deduced. The results establish a breaking of the normal trend of increasing first excited 2{sup +} and 4{sup +} level energies as a function of the decreasing neutron number as the N=50 major shell gap is approached for the neutron-deficient Xe isotopes. This unusual feature is suggested to be an effect of enhanced collectivity, possibly arising from isoscalar n-p interactions becoming increasingly important close to the N=Z line.

Experimental investigation of the 02+ band in Sm154 as a β-vibrational band

Abstract A study of Sm 154 through γ -ray and internal conversion electron coincidence measurements was performed using the Silicon And GErmanium spectrometer (SAGE). An upper limit for the ρ 2 ( E 0 ; 2 2 + → 2 1 + ) and measurement of the ρ 2 ( E 0 ; 4 2 + → 4 1 + ) monopole transitions strengths were determined. The extracted transition strength for each is significantly lower than that predicted by either the Bohr and Mottelson β -vibration description or the interacting boson model. Hence, the long standing interpretation of these states as a collective band built on the 0 2 + state, which is conventionally assigned as a Bohr and Mottelson β vibration is questionable.

Probing structural changes in the very neutron-deficient Os isotopes with recoil-decay tagging

In recent years, the exploitation of the iecoil-decay tagging (RDT) technique with,large arrays of germanium detectors has revealed much information about the structure of heavy nuclei approaching the proton drip line. The yrast bands of the N <= 93 osmium isotopes have been identified in a campaign of tagging experiments using various spectrometer arrays coupled to the RITU gas-filled separator based at the University of Jyvaskyla. Trends in the yrast state excitation energies have indicated a transition from gamma-soft triaxial to near-spherical shapes with decreasing neutron number. Recent experimental results for Os-162 obtained with the JUROGAM and GREAT spectrometers also indicate the…

Recoil Isomer Tagging on Proton-Rich Odd–Odd N=77 Isotones 142Tb and 144Ho

The isomeric structure of the N=77 isotones 14265Tb and 14467Ho have been studied with the 92Mo(54Fe, xpn) fusion evaporation reaction at the University of Jyväskylä. The Jurospehere II germanium array was employed in conjunction with the RITU gas filled recoil separator. The feeding and decay of a 500(20) ns isomeric state in 144Ho has been established for the first time together with states built upon the known 15 μs isomer in 142Tb. The behavior of these new structures above the isomers suggest that they are low deformation configurations which display signs of triaxiality. peerReviewed

Investigation into the Effects of Deformation on Proton Emission Rates via Lifetime Measurements

Recoil decay tagging ofγrays in the extremely neutron-deficient nucleusOs162

The neutron-deficient nucleus $^{162}\mathrm{Os}$, produced in the $^{106}\mathrm{Cd}(^{58}\mathrm{Ni},2n)$ reaction, has been studied using the JUROGAM $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray spectrometer in conjunction with the RITU gas-filled separator and the GREAT focal plane spectrometer. $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray transitions in $^{162}\mathrm{Os}$ have been assigned for the first time through the application of the recoil decay tagging technique. The excitation energy of the ${2}^{+}$ state and the tentative energy of the ${8}^{+}$ state are discussed in terms of the systematic energy trends as the $N=82$ shell gap is approached.

Lifetimes of odd-spin yrast states inHg182

Lifetimes of excited states in $^{182}\mathrm{Hg}$ were extracted from recoil-gated $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray spectra and recoil-gated $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\gamma}$-coincidence matrices using the recoil distance Doppler-shift method. States were populated using the $^{96}\mathrm{Mo}$($^{88}\mathrm{Sr}$,$2n$)$^{182}\mathrm{Hg}$ fusion-evaporation reaction. Measured lifetimes allowed transition probabilities, transition quadrupole moments, quadrupole deformation parameters, and transition dipole moments to be deduced for the band formed by the odd-spin yrast states. The experimental results confirm the low degree of octupole collectivity in this mass region.

Nuclear levels in proton-unboundI109: Relative single-particle energies beyond the proton drip line

A level scheme has been constructed for the proton-unbound, T-z=3/2 nuclide I-109(53)56 following a recoil-decay-tagging experiment using the Ni-58(Fe-54, p2n gamma) reaction at a beam energy of 19 ...

Coulomb shifts and shape changes in the mass 70 region

The technique of recoil beta tagging has been developed which allows prompt gamma decays in nuclei from excited states to be correlated with electrons from their subsequent short-lived beta decay. This technique is ideal for studying nuclei very far from stability and improves in sensitivity for very short-lived decays and for high decay Q-values. The method has allowed excited states in 78Y to be observed for the first time, as well as an extension in the knowledge of T=1 states in 74Rb. From this new information it has been possible to compare Coulomb energy differences (CED) between T=1 states in 70Br/70Se, 74Rb/74Kr, and 78Y/78Sr. The A=70 CED exhibit an anomalous behavior which is inco…

Comparison of gamma-ray coincidence and low-background gamma-ray singles spectrometry

Aerosol samples have been studied under different background conditions using gamma-ray coincidence and low-background gamma-ray singles spectrometric techniques with High-Purity Germanium detectors. Conventional low-background gamma-ray singles counting is a competitive technique when compared to the gamma-gamma coincidence approach in elevated background conditions. However, measurement of gamma-gamma coincidences can clearly make the identification of different nuclides more reliable and efficient than using singles spectrometry alone. The optimum solution would be a low-background counting station capable of both singles and gamma-gamma coincidence spectrometry.

Spectroscopy of proton-rich 66^Se up to J^{\pi} = 6^+: isospin-breaking effect in the A = 66 isobaric triplet

Candidates for three excited states in the 66^Se have been identified using the recoil-{\beta} tagging method together with a veto detector for charged-particle evaporation channels. These results allow a comparison of mirror and triplet energy differences between analogue states across the A = 66 triplet as a function of angular momentum. The extracted triplet energy differences follow the negative trend observed in the f_7/2 shell. Shell-model calculations indicate a continued need for an additional isospin non-conserving interaction in addition to the Coulomb isotensor part as a function of mass.

High K bands in mid-supershell nuclei

The spectrum of prompt conversion electrons emitted by excited 254No nuclei has been measured, revealing discrete lines arising from transitions within the ground state band. A striking feature is a broad distribution that peaks near 100 keV and comprises high multiplicity electron cascades, probably originating from M1 transitions within rotational bands built on high K states. Evidence for the existence of isomeric states in 254No is presented. peerReviewed

Evidence for enhanced collectivity in Te-I-Xe nuclei near the N = Z = 50 double shell closure

Gamma‐ray transitions have been identified for the first time in the extremely neutron‐deficient Tz = 1 nuclide 110Xe and the energies of the three lowest excited states in the ground‐state band have been deduced. A level scheme has also been constructed for the proton‐unbound, Tz = 3/2 nuclide 109I, exhibiting band structures built on g7/2 and h11/2 states in a weakly deformed, triaxial nucleus. In addition, a third band is proposed to be built on a g7/2 orbital coupled to an octupole‐vibrational phonon of the 108Te core. The results were obtained in a recoil‐decay tagging experiment using the 58Ni(54Fe,2n/p2n) reaction at a beam energy of 195 MeV. The experiment was performed using the hi…

Isomer spectroscopy in254No

Isomeric states in No-254 were investigated using a calorimetric method. Two different isomers were found with half-lives of T-1/2 = 266 +/- 2 ms and T-1/2 = 184 +/- 3 mu s, respectively. The domin ...

Low-lying shears bands in very light odd—odd Bi isotopes

The concept of magnetic rotation in nuclei was introduced to explain the observed regular bands with enhanced M1 transitions and weak or absent E2 crossover transitions in nearly spherical nuclei around 198Pb [1]. These bands can be described by the coupling of high-j proton and neutron configurations to a total spin tilted at an angle of ~ 45° with respect to the symmetry axis. As the proton and neutron spins align with increasing excitation energy, a sequence of ΔI = 1 levels of fixed parity (“shears band”) is formed [2].

In-beam γ-ray and electron spectroscopy of Md249,251

The odd-Z 251Md nucleus was studied using combined γ-ray and conversion-electron in-beam spectroscopy. Besides the previously observed rotational band based on the [521]1/2− configuration, another rotational structure has been identified using γ−γ coincidences. The use of electron spectroscopy allowed the rotational bands to be observed over a larger rotational frequency range. Using the transition intensities that depend on the gyromagnetic factor, a [514]7/2− single-particle configuration has been inferred for this band, i.e., the ground-state band. A physical background that dominates the electron spectrum with an intensity of ≃60% was well reproduced by simulating a set of unresolved ex…

Spectroscopy of Kr 70 and isospin symmetry in the T=1 fpg shell nuclei SPECTROSCOPY of Kr 70 and ISOSPIN SYMMETRY ... D. M. DEBENHAM et al.

The recoil-β tagging technique has been used in conjunction with the Ca40(S32,2n) reaction at a beam energy of 88 MeV to identify transitions associated with the decay of the 2+ and, tentatively, 4+ states in the nucleus Kr70. These data are used, along with previously published data, to examine the triplet energy differences (TED) for the mass 70 isobars. The experimental TED values are compared with shell model calculations, performed with the JUN45 interaction in the fpg model space, that include a J=0 isospin nonconserving (INC) interaction with an isotensor strength of 100 keV. The agreement is found to be very good up to spin 4 and supports the expectation for analog states that all t…

Evidence against the wobbling nature of low-spin bands in 135Pr

International audience; The electromagnetic character of the ΔI=1 transitions connecting the 1- to 0-phonon and the 2- to 1-phonon wobbling bands should be dominated by an E2 component, due to the collective motion of the entire nuclear charge. In the present work it is shown, based on combined angular correlation and linear polarization measurements, that the mixing ratios of all analyzed connecting transitions between low-lying bands in 135Pr interpreted as 0-, 1-, and 2-phonon wobbling bands, have absolute values smaller than one. This indicates predominant M1 magnetic character, which is incompatible with the proposed wobbling nature. All experimental observables are instead in good agr…

In-beam spectroscopic study of $^{244}$Cf

The ground-state rotational band of the neutron-deficient californium ( Z = 98 ) isotope 244 Cf was identified for the first time and measured up to a tentative spin and parity of I π = 20 + . The observation of the rotational band indicates that the nucleus is deformed. The kinematic and dynamic moments of inertia were deduced from the measured γ -ray transition energies. The behavior of the dynamic moment of inertia revealed an up-bend due to a possible alignment of coupled nucleons in high- j orbitals starting at a rotational frequency of about ℏ ω = 0.20 MeV . The results were compared with the systematic behavior of the even-even N = 146 isotones as well as with available theoretical c…

Tilted precession bands in $^{135}$Nd

International audience; 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.

Spectroscopy of the neutron-deficient isobars 163 Re and 163 W using tagging techniques

Bozok University;Erciyes University;et al.;Istanbul University;Nigde University;The Turkish Atomic Energy Authority (TAEK)

Experimental observation of the M1 scissors mode in $^{254}No$

Physics letters / B 834, 137479 (2022). doi:10.1016/j.physletb.2022.137479

De-excitation of the strongly coupled band in Au177 and implications for core intruder configurations in the light Hg isotopes

Excited states in the proton-unbound nuclide $^{177}$Au were populated in the $^92}$Mo($^{88}$Sr, p2n) reaction and identified using the Jurogam-II and GREAT spectrometers in conjunction with the RITU gas-filled separator at the University of Jyvaskyla Accelerator Laboratory. A strongly coupled band and its decay path to the 11/2−α-decaying isomer have been identified using recoil-decay tagging. Comparisons with cranked Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (HFB) calculations based on Skyrme energy functionals suggest that the band has a prolate deformation and is based upon coupling the odd 1h11/2 proton hole to the excited 02+ configuration in the $^{178}$Hg core. Although these configurations might be…

Evidence for octupole collectivity in 172Pt

Excited states in the extremely neutron-deficient nucleus 172Pt were populated via 96Ru(78Kr,2p) and 92Mo(83Kr,3n) reactions. The level scheme has been extended up to an excitation energy of  ~ 5 MeV and tentative spin-parity assignments up to Iπ = 18+. Linear polarization and angular distribution measurements were used to determine the electromagnetic E1 character of the dipole transitions connecting the positive-parity ground-state band with an excited side-band, firmly establishing it as a negative-parity band. The lowest member of this negative-parity structure was firmly assigned spin-parity 3-. In addition, we observed an E3 transition from this 3- state to the ground state, providing…

Discovery of 157W and 161Os

The nuclides W-157 and Os-161 have been discovered ill reactions of Ni-58 ion beams with a Cd-106 target. The Os-161 alpha-decay energy and half-life were 6890 +/- 12 keV and 640 +/- 60 mu s. The d ...

Lifetime measurements of excited states in W-162 and W-164 and the evolution of collectivity in rare-earth nuclei

WOS: 000400140500006

Combined in-beam electron andγ-ray spectroscopy ofHg184,186

By exploiting the SAGE spectrometer a simultaneous measurement of conversion electrons and {gamma} rays emitted in the de-excitation of excited levels in the neutron-deficient nuclei {sup 184,186}Hg was performed. The light Hg isotopes under investigation were produced using the 4n channels of the fusion-evaporation reactions of {sup 40}Ar and {sup 148,150}Sm. The measured K- and L-conversion electron ratios confirmed the stretched E2 nature of several transitions of the yrast bands in {sup 184,186}Hg. Additional information on the E0 component of the 2{sub 2}{sup +}{yields}2{sub 1}{sup +} transition in {sup 186}Hg was obtained.

Spectroscopy of the neutron-deficient nucleusOs16791

Excited states of the nucleus Os-167 have been populated by the reaction Mo-92(Kr-78,2pn). The JUROGAM gamma-ray detector array has been used in conjunction with the RITU gas-filled separator and the GREAT spectrometer to observe prompt gamma rays in coincidence with recoiling fusion-evaporation residues and their subsequent decay by alpha particle emission. By correlating prompt gamma radiation with the characteristic alpha radioactivity of Os-167, it has been possible to extend the level scheme for this nucleus significantly. In particular, an extension of the yrast band and four previously unobserved bands are reported. In addition, the recoil distance Doppler-shift method was used to de…

Identification of sub- μs isomeric states in the odd-odd nucleus Au178

The neutron-deficient gold (Z=79) isotopes in the vicinity of the neutron midshell N=104 provide prolific examples of shape coexistence and isomerism at low excitation energy. They can be probed via a number of different experimental techniques. In this study, two new isomeric states with half-lives of 294(7) and 373(9) ns have been observed in the neutron-deficient odd-odd nuclide Au178 (N=99) in an experiment at the RITU gas-filled separator at JYFL, Jyvaskyla. This result was achieved due to the use of a segmented planar germanium detector with a high efficiency at low energies. By applying the recoil-decay tagging technique, they were assigned to decay to two different long-lived α-deca…

Probing the limit of nuclear existence: Proton emission from 159Re

WOS: 000240847400007

Confirming band assignments in $^{167}$ytterbium with gamma-gamma-electron triple-coincidence spectroscopy

International audience; Multipolarity measurements are presented for transitions in the deformed odd-mass nucleus$^{167}$ Yb in support of tentative spin assignments and level interpretations based upon the cranked-Nilsson model. Internal-conversion coefficients were measured with the SAGE (Silicon And GErmanium) spectrometer confirming several E2 transition assignments. The array of high-purity germanium detectors enabled the recording of high-multiplicity events from which $\gamma\gamma\gamma$ and $\gamma\gamma e^{-}$ data sets were extracted and the technique of high-fold $\gamma$ -ray gating was demonstrated to cleanly isolate transitions of interest.

Precision measurements of proton emission from the ground states ofTa156andRe160

The decays of the $\ensuremath{\pi}{d}_{3/2}$ ground states of $^{156}\mathrm{Ta}$ and $^{160}\mathrm{Re}$ have been studied in detail using the GREAT spectrometer. More than 7000 $^{160}\mathrm{Re}$ nuclei were produced in reactions of 290- and 300-MeV $^{58}\mathrm{Ni}$ ions with an isotopically enriched $^{106}\mathrm{Cd}$ target and separated in flight using the RITU separator. The proton and $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ decays of the $\ensuremath{\pi}{d}_{3/2}$ level were confirmed and the half-life and branching ratios of this state were determined with improved precision to be ${t}_{1/2}=611\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}7$ $\ensuremath{\mu}$s and ${b}_{\mathrm{p}}=89\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi…

Shell-Structure and Pairing Interaction in Superheavy Nuclei: Rotational Properties of theZ=104NucleusRf256

The rotational band structure of the $Z=104$ nucleus $^{256}\mathrm{Rf}$ has been observed up to a tentative spin of $20\ensuremath{\hbar}$ using state-of-the-art $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray spectroscopic techniques. This represents the first such measurement in a superheavy nucleus whose stability is entirely derived from the shell-correction energy. The observed rotational properties are compared to those of neighboring nuclei and it is shown that the kinematic and dynamic moments of inertia are sensitive to the underlying single-particle shell structure and the specific location of high-$j$ orbitals. The moments of inertia therefore provide a sensitive test of shell structure and pairing i…

Lifetimes of intruder states in 186Pb, 188Pb and 194Po

Abstract Lifetimes of prolate intruder states in 186Pb and 188Pb and oblate intruder states in 194Po have been determined through recoil distance Doppler-shift lifetime measurements. Deformation parameters of | β 2 | = 0.29 ( 5 ) and | β 2 | = 0.17(3) have been extracted from experimental B ( E 2 ) values for the prolate and the oblate bands, respectively. The present study addresses the phenomenon of shape coexistence typical for the nuclei near Z = 82 and N = 104 , providing information on configuration mixing of intrinsic structures of the nuclei of interest. The results are compared with the available lifetime data and theoretical results for neutron-deficient Po, Pb, Hg and Pt nuclei. …

γ-ray spectroscopy approaching the limits of existence of atomic nuclei: A study of the excited states ofPt168andPt169

Excited states in the $N=90$ and $N=91$ Pt nuclei have been investigated using the JUROGAM and GREAT spectrometers in conjunction with the RITU gas-filled separator. These nuclei were populated via the reactions $^{92}\mathrm{Mo}(^{78}\mathrm{Kr},2n)$ and $^{94}\mathrm{Mo}(^{78}\mathrm{Kr},3n)$ at 335 and 348 MeV, respectively. The recoil-decay tagging technique has been used to correlate prompt $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ radiation with the characteristic $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ decays of $^{168}\mathrm{Pt}$ and $^{169}\mathrm{Pt}$. A $\ensuremath{\gamma}\text{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ analysis has allowed a level scheme for $^{168}\mathrm{Pt}$ to be reported for the first time and the l…

α decay studies of the nuclidesU218andU219

Very neutron deficient uranium isotopes were produced in fusion evaporation reactions using $^{40}\mathrm{Ar}$ ions on $^{182}\mathrm{W}$ targets. The gas-filled recoil separator RITU was employed to collect the fusion products and to separate them from the scattered beam and other reaction products. The activities were implanted into a position sensitive silicon detector after passing through a gas-counter system. The isotopes were identified using spatial and time correlations between the implants and the decays. Two $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-decaying states, with ${E}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}}=(8612\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}9)$ keV and ${T}_{1/2}=(0.{51}_{\ensuremath{-}0.10}^{+0.17})$ ms for t…

Investigation of 246Fm : in-beam spectroscopy at the limits\u2028

Effect of a Triaxial Nuclear Shape on Proton Tunneling: The Decay and Structure of 145Tm

Gamma rays deexciting states in the proton emitter 145Tm were observed using the recoil-decay tagging method. The 145Tm ground-state rotational band was found to exhibit the properties expected for an h{11/2} proton decoupled band. In addition, coincidences between protons feeding the 2{+} state in 144Er and the 2{+}-->0{+} gamma-ray transition were detected, the first measurement of this kind, leading to a more precise value for the 2{+} excitation energy of 329(1) keV. Calculations with the particle-rotor model and the core quasiparticle coupling model indicate that the properties of the pi{11/2} band and the proton-decay rates in 145Tm are consistent with the presence of triaxiality with…

Yrast structures in the light Pt isotopes169–173Pt

The exploitation of the recoil-decay tagging (RDT) technique has reinvigorated experimental investigations of the shape coexistence phenomenon in heavy neutron-deficient nuclei. In a recent experiment using the JUROGAM and GREAT spectrometers in conjunction with the RITU gas-filled separator, excited states have been investigated in the light platinum isotopes. In addition to extending the yrast sequences in 170Pt and 172Pt, the first observation of excited states in the odd-N isotopes, 169Pt and 173Pt, is reported. The bands are discussed in terms of trends in level excitation energies as a function of neutron number.

First identification of rotational band structures inRe9175166

Despite that it is more than 100 years since the atomic nucleus was first dis- covered by Ernest Rutherford and coworkers, many of its features still elude our understanding. The fact that the fundamental interactions between the nuclear constituents; nucleons, and ultimately quarks, are not yet known in detail, and the complexity of the nuclear many-body system compound the great challenges facing theoretical interpretations of experimental data. It is therefore important to focus on distinct phenomena where experimental mea- surements can be compared with theoretical predictions, providing stringent tests of theory. One such area is the nuclear phenomenology of collective excitations rela…

Population of a low-spin positive-parity band from high-spin intruder states in 177Au: The two-state mixing effect

The extremely neutron-deficient isotopes 177,179Au were studied by means of in-beam ?-ray spectroscopy. Specific tagging techniques, ?-decay tagging in 177Au and isomer tagging in 179Au, were used for these studies. Feeding of positive-parity, nearly spherical states, which are associated with 2d3/2 and 3s1/2 proton-hole configurations, from the 1i13/2 proton-intruder configuration was observed in 177Au. Such a decay path has no precedent in odd-Au isotopes and it is explained by the effect of mixing of wave functions of the initial state. © 2020

Nuclear isomers in superheavy elements as stepping stones towards the island of stability

The stability of an atomic nucleus is determined by the outcome of a tug-of-war between the attractive strong nuclear force and the repulsive electrostatic force between the protons in the nucleus. If 100 protons and about 150 neutrons or more are assembled into a nucleus, the repulsion usually becomes dominant and causes the nucleus to fission. For certain 'magic numbers' of protons and neutrons this repulsion can be overcome and the nucleus stabilized. In particular an 'island of stability' is predicted beyond the actinides, where long-lived or even stable superheavy elements can exist, but its precise limits are unknown. Experiments can help determine where this island lies, however. Spe…

Delayed or absent π(h11/2)2 alignment in Xe111

αdecay studies of very neutron-deficient francium and radium isotopes

Very neutron-deficient francium and radium isotopes have been produced in fusion evaporation reactions using $^{63}\mathrm{Cu}$ and $^{65}\mathrm{Cu}$ ions on $^{141}\mathrm{Pr}$ targets and $^{36}\mathrm{Ar}$ ions on $^{170}\mathrm{Yb}$ targets. The gas-filled recoil separator RITU was employed to collect the fusion products and to separate them from the scattered beam. The activities were implanted into a position-sensitive silicon detector after passing through a gas-counter system. The isotopes were identified using spatial and time correlations between the implants and decays. Two new \ensuremath{\alpha} decaying radium isotopes, $^{201}\mathrm{Ra}$ and $^{202}\mathrm{Ra}$, were identi…

β and γ bands in N = 88, 90, and 92 isotones investigated with a five-dimensional collective Hamiltonian based on covariant density functional theory : Vibrations, shape coexistence, and superdeformation

A comprehensive systematic study is made for the collective β and γ bands in even-even isotopes with neutron numbers N=88 to 92 and proton numbers Z=62(Sm) to 70 (Yb). Data, including excitation energies, B(E0) and B(E2) values, and branching ratios from previously published experiments are collated with new data presented for the first time in this study. The experimental data are compared to calculations using a five-dimensional collective Hamiltonian (5DCH) based on the covariant density functional theory (CDFT). A realistic potential in the quadrupole shape parameters V(β,γ) is determined from potential energy surfaces (PES) calculated using the CDFT. The parameters of the 5DCH are fixe…

Identification of isomeric states in the N=73 neutron-deficient nuclei 132Pr and 130La

Decays from isomeric states in the neutron-deficient N=73 nuclei 132Pr and 130La have been observed for the first time. Half-lives of 486(70) ns and 2.46(4) μs were measured for two isomeric states in 132Pr. The decay from the 486ns (8 -) isomer has been interpreted as a hindered E1 transition from the bandhead state of the excited πh 11/2νg 7/2 configuration. The decay from the 2.5 μs (8 +) isomer is consistent with the Weisskopf estimate for a low-energy E2 transition. An analogous 0.74(3) μs decay from an (8 +) isomer in the neighboring isotone 130La has also been observed which similarly can be explained if the transition has E2 character. The Weisskopf interpretation for the isomer hin…

High-Kfour-quasiparticle states inGd138

States above the known ${K}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}={8}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ 6 $\ensuremath{\mu}$s isomer in $^{138}\mathrm{Gd}$ have been populated with the $^{106}\mathrm{Cd}$($^{36}\mathrm{Ar}$,$2p2n$) reaction at a beam energy of 180 MeV at the University of Jyv\"askyl\"a, Finland. The recoil-isomer tagging technique was utilized to correlate delayed $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray decays, detected in the GREAT focal plane spectrometer, with prompt decays measured in the JUROGAM II spectrometer at the target position. The lifetime of the ${K}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}={8}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ isomeric state has been remeasured as 6.2(2) $\ensuremath{\mu}$s. Two high-lying strongly coupled bands have been estab…

High-spin intruder band in $^{107}$In

High-spin states in the neutron deficient nucleus $^{107}$In were studied via the $^{58}$Ni($^{52}$Cr, 3p) reaction. In-beam $\gamma$ rays were measured using the JUROGAM detector array. A rotational cascade consisting of ten $\gamma$-ray transitions which decays to the 19/2$^{+}$ level at 2.002 MeV was observed. The band exhibits the features typical for smooth terminating bands which also appear in rotational bands of heavier nuclei in the A$\sim$100 region. The results are compared with Total Routhian Surface and Cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky calculations.

Excited states in 217Ra populated in the α decay of 221Th

Fine structure in the α decay of 22190Th, populating excited states in 21788Ra, was studied using αγ-coincidence spectroscopy. Two α-decay branches from 221Th have been newly observed, with Eα(keV)[bα(%)]=7951(8)[0.14(3)] and 8247(3)[1.51(12)], together with three previously known branches. Also, two new states in 217Ra were identified at E = 177 and 227 keV. The ground-state configurations of the odd-A, N = 131 transitional isotones above 208Pb are interpreted from their α-decay fine structure systematics and considered in terms of predictions using spherical shell and reflection-asymmetric models. peerReviewed

α-decay spectroscopy of the N = 130 isotones 218Ra and 220Th: Mitigation of α-particle energy summing with implanted nuclei

An analysis technique has been developed in order to mitigate energy summing due to sequential short-lived α decays from nuclei implanted into a silicon detector. Using this technique, α-decay spectroscopy of the N=130 isotones 218Ra (Z=88) and 220Th (Z=90) has been performed. The energies of the α particles emitted in the 218Ra→214Rn and 220Th→216Ra ground-state-to-ground-state decays have been measured to be 8381(4) keV and 8818(13) keV, respectively. The half-lives of the ground states of 218Ra and 220Th have been measured to be 25.99(10) μs and 10.4(4) μs, respectively. The half-lives of the ground states of the α-decay daughters, 214Rn and 216Ra, have been measured to be 259(3) ns and …

Delayed or absent π(h11/2)2 alignment in 111Xe

Excited states have been identified in the very neutron-deficient N = Z + 3 nucleus 111Xe for the first time, using the 58Ni(58Ni, αn) heavy-ion fusion-evaporation reaction. γ -ray transitions have been unambiguously assigned to 111Xe by correlation with the characteristic 111Xe → 107Te → 103Sn α-decay chain using the method of recoil-decay tagging. Inspection of γ γ -coincidence data has shown that five of the transitions form a rotational-like sequence. Excitation-energy systematics suggest that the sequence could be the favored signature partner of a band built on an h11/2 neutron. Aligned angular momenta of states in the band have been compared to analogous bands in neighboring xenon is…

Spectroscopy ofHo144using recoil-isomer tagging

Excited states in the proton-unbound odd-odd nucleus $^{144}\mathrm{Ho}$ have been populated using the $^{92}\mathrm{Mo}(^{54}\mathrm{Fe},\mathit{pn})^{144}\mathrm{Ho}$ reaction and studied using the recoil-isomer-tagging technique. The alignment properties and signature splitting of the rotational band above the ${I}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}=({8}^{+})^{144m}\mathrm{Ho}$ isomer have been analyzed and the isomer confirmed to have a $\ensuremath{\pi}{h}_{11/2}\ensuremath{\bigotimes}\ensuremath{\nu}{h}_{11/2}$ two-quasiparticle configuration. The configuration-constrained blocking method has been used to calculate the shapes of the ground and isomeric states, which are both predicted to have triaxia…

Population of a low-spin positive-parity band from high-spin intruder states in Au: The two-state mixing effect

The extremely neutron-deficient isotopes $^{177,179}$Au were studied by means of in-beam γ-ray spectroscopy. Specific tagging techniques, α-decay tagging in $^{177}$Au and isomer tagging in $^{179}$Au, were used for these studies. Feeding of positive-parity, nearly spherical states, which are associated with 2d3/2 and 3s1/2 proton-hole configurations, from the 1i13/2 proton-intruder configuration was observed in $^{177}$Au. Such a decay path has no precedent in odd-Au isotopes and it is explained by the effect of mixing of wave functions of the initial state.

Single-particle states and parity doublets in odd-Z 221Ac and 225Pa from α-decay spectroscopy

Low-lying states in the odd-Z isotopes 22189Ac132 and 22591Pa134 have been studied using α-particle and αγ-coincidence spectroscopy in the 225Pa→221Ac→217Fr decay chain. Ground-state spin and parity assignments of Iπ = 5/2− are proposed for both 221Ac and 225Pa, with the odd proton occupying the Ω = 5/2 orbital of the quadrupole-octupole deformed shell model in both nuclei. In 221Ac, excited states in the bands based on the Ω = 5/2 and Ω = 3/2 orbitals have been identified, including proposed parity-doublet states. The results suggest that reflection-asymmetric deformation of the ground state persists in the odd-A members of the isotope chains down to N = 132 for Ac and N = 134 for Pa, befo…

Recoil Decay Tagging Study Of Transitional Proton Emitters 145,146,147Tm

International audience; Gamma rays from the transitional proton emitting nuclei 145,146,147Tm have been observed using the recoil-decay tagging technique. The ground state band of 147Tm was confirmed and extended and the unfavoured signature sequence was observed. A ground state rotational band with properties of a decoupled h11/2 band was observed in 145Tm. In addition coincidences between the proton fine structure line and the 2+-->0+ gamma-ray transition in 144Er were detected at the focal plane of the FMA. This is the first time that coincidences between proton radioactive decays and gamma rays have been seen. The particle decay of 146Tm has been measured with improved statistics and a …

Experimental study of 1/2(+) isomers in At-199,At-201

Using fusion-evaporation reactions, a gas-filled recoil separator, and recoil-electron and recoil-electron-alpha tagging techniques, a new isomeric 1/2(+) state [T-1/2 = 45(3) ms] in At-201 is identified, and an earlier reported corresponding state [T-1/2 = 273(9) ms] in At-199 is confirmed. The 1/2(+) state is suggested to originate from an intruder pi(s(1/2))(-1) configuration. In addition, nuclear structure of states below and above this 1/2(+) state are studied in both nuclei. The isomer decays through a cascade of an E3 transition followed by a mixed M1/E2 transition to the 9/2(-) ground state, and it is interpreted to be fed from nearly spherical 3/2(+) and 5/2(+) states originating f…

The new vacuum-mode recoil separator MARA at JYFL

Abstract A new vacuum-mode recoil separator MARA (Mass Analysing Recoil Apparatus) is under design and construction at the Department of Physics in the University of Jyvaskyla. The separator is intended to separate reaction products from the primary beam in mass region below A = 150 . The ion-optical configuration of the separator will be QQQDEDM, where a magnetic quadrupole (Q) triplet is followed by an electrostatic deflector (DE) and a magnetic dipole (DM). The total length of MARA will be less than 7.0 m and the first order resolving power more than 250 for a beam spot size of 2 mm. In this contribution the main properties of MARA are given and results from simulations are shown.

The influence of quasineutron configurations on 161Ta and nearby odd-A Nuclei

Several strongly coupled bands in the neutron‐deficient nucleus 161Ta have been identified and quasiparticle configuration assignments have been made on the basis of rotational alignments and cranked shell model calculations. The level scheme elucidated for 161Ta highlights the competition between the ν(h9/2) and ν(i13/2) orbitals to form the yrast spectrum. The band structures in 161Ta also provide new insights into the structural features of other heavy odd‐A nuclei populated with much lower reaction cross sections in this region at the proton drip line.

Lifetime measurement of the first excited2+state in108Te

The lifetime of the first excited 2(+) state in the neutron deficient nuclide (108)Te has been measured for the first time, using a combined recoil decay tagging and recoil distance Doppler shift t ...

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.