A Geant4 simulation package for the sage spectrometer

International audience; A comprehensive Geant4 simulation was built for the SAGE spectrometer. The simulation package includes the silicon and germanium detectors, the mechanical structure and the electromagnetic fields present in SAGE. This simulation can be used for making predictions through simulating experiments and for comparing simulated and experimental data to better understand the underlying physics.

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

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

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…

Position resolution of the prototype AGATA triple-cluster detector from an in-beam experiment

AGATA belongs to a new generation of gamma-ray detector arrays for nuclear spectroscopy at present in its final stage of development. The detectors of these new arrays will be based on 36-fold electronically segmented coaxial germanium diodes operated in position sensitive mode. An in-beam test of the AGATA prototype triple cluster detector was carried out with the purpose of demonstrating the feasibility of such detectors and in order to measure the most sensitive parameters for their overall performance. An inverse kinematics reaction was performed, using a (48)Ti beam at an energy of 100MeV, impinging on a deuterated titanium tat-get. The results from the analysis of the experimental dat…

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

The SAGE spectrometer: A tool for combined in-beam gamma-ray and conversion electron spectroscopy

International audience; The sage spectrometer allows simultaneous in-beam -ray and internal conversion electron measurements, by combining a germanium detector array with a highly segmented silicon detector and an electron transport system. sage is coupled with the ritu gas- lled recoil separator and the great focal-plane spectrometer for recoil-decay tagging studies. Digital electronics are used both for the ray and the electron parts of the spectrometer. sage was commissioned in the Accelerator Laboratory of the University of Jyvaskyla in the beginning of 2010.

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…

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.

Spectroscopy of the proton drip-line nucleus 203Fr

The nucleus ${}^{203}$Fr has been studied through $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray and electron spectroscopy, using the recoil-decay tagging technique. A 13/2${}^{+}$ state, with a half-life of 0.37(5) $\ensuremath{\mu}$s, has been observed in ${}^{203}$Fr. Both the $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-decay branch and the internal de-excitation of the 1/2${}^{+}$ isomer in ${}^{203}$Fr have been studied. Furthermore, the corresponding 1/2${}^{+}$ state, with a half-life of 0.31(8) s, has been found in ${}^{199}$At. In addition, transitions feeding the 9/2${}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ ground state of ${}^{203}$Fr have been identified. The observed level pattern suggests that the ground state is still spherical.

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…

First observation of excited states of173Hg

The neutron-deficient nucleus 173Hg has been studied following fusion-evaporation reactions. The observation of gamma rays decaying from excited states are reported for the first time and a tentative level scheme is proposed. The proposed level scheme is discussed within the context of the systematics of neighbouring neutron-deficient Hg nuclei. In addition to the gamma-ray spectroscopy, the alpha decay of this nucleus has been measured yielding superior precision to earlier measurements.

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.

Reduced transition probabilities along the yrast line in W-166

WOS: 000406755100001

Isomer Spectroscopy in90216Th126and the Magicity of92218U126

Excited states in (216)Th were investigated via prompt and delayed gamma decays and the recoil-decay tagging method. The decay schemes of the I(pi) = (8+), t(1/2) = 128(8) micros, the I(pi) = (11-), t(1/2) = 615(55) ns, and the I(pi) = (14+), t(1/2) > or = 130 ns isomers were established. The configuration pi h(9/2)f(7/2) is assigned to the I(pi) = (8+) isomer, which implies that the h(9/2) and f(7/2) states are nearly degenerate. This is ascribed to increased binding of the f(7/2) orbital by its coupling to a low-lying I(pi) = (3-) state at E(x) = 1687 keV. The role of octupole and pairing correlations for a Z = 92 shell closure prediction is discussed on the basis of shell model calculati…

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…

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…

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.

Search for a 2-quasiparticle high-Kisomer inRf256

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

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

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

In-beam andα-decay spectroscopy of191Poand evidence for triple shape coexistence at low energy in the daughter nucleus187Pb

Prompt gamma rays have been observed for the first time from the neutron-deficient nucleus Po-191 using the recoil-decay tagging technique at the RITU gas-filled separator. In addition improved alp ...

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.

Recoil-decay tagging study of 205Fr

The nucleus 205Fr has been studied through γ -ray and electron spectroscopy using the recoil-decay tagging technique. The resulting level scheme presents a spherical structure built on the 9/2− ground state and a rotational structure on top of a short-lived isomer. The isomer, with a spin and parity of 13/2+ and a half-life of 80(20) ns, de-excites by an M2 transition directly to the 9/2− ground state. Another, longer-lived, isomer, with a half-life of 1.15(4) ms, has also been found and assigned a spin and parity of 1/2+. Transitions populating and de-exciting this isomer have been observed as well. peerReviewed

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…

New shape isomer in the self-conjugate nucleus $^{72}$Kr

A new isomeric ${0}^{+}$ state was identified as the first excited state in the self-conjugate ($N=Z$) nucleus $^{\mathrm{72}}\mathrm{K}\mathrm{r}$. By combining for the first time conversion-electron and gamma-ray spectroscopy with the production of metastable states in high-energy fragmentation, the electric-monopole decay of the new isomer to the ground state was established. The new ${0}^{+}$ state is understood as the band head of the known prolate rotational structure, which strongly supports the interpretation that $^{\mathrm{72}}\mathrm{K}\mathrm{r}$ is one of the rare nuclei having an oblate-deformed ground state. This observation gives in fact the first evidence for a shape isomer…

Exploring the stability of super heavy elements: First Measurement of the Fission Barrier of $^{254} $No

The gamma-ray multiplicity and total energy emitted by the heavy nucleus 254No have been measured at 2 different beam energies. From these measurements, the initial distributions of spin I and excitation energy E * of 254No were constructed. The distributions display a saturation in excitation energy, which allows a direct determination of the fission barrier. 254No is the heaviest shell-stabilized nucleus with a measured fission barrier. © Owned by the authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2014.

Coulomb excitation of $^{78}$Kr

Expérience à JYFL cyclotron (Jyväskylä, Finlande); The Kr isotopes are considered to be among the best cases for shape coexistence studies in the mass A$\sim$70 region. Our campaign to investigate in detail the development of the shape coexistence in the neutron deficient Kr isotopes was started with the stable nucleus $^{78}$Kr. To obtain the information about the intrinsic shape, Coulomb excitation experiments were performed. A total of 26 matrix elements were determined for $^{78)$Kr. Simple geometrical and algebraic models do not reproduce all details of the electromagnetic structure. A good interpretation of the complex structure of the nucleus with competing oblate and prolate shapes …

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…

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 ...

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

Spectroscopy of 253No and its daughters

Abstract New high-statistics data have been obtained on the decay properties of 253 No and its daughters using the reaction 207 Pb( 48 Ca, 2n) 253 No. This was made possible thanks to an improved transmission of fusion–evaporation residues through the VASSILISSA recoil separator and an increased efficiency of the GABRIELA detector setup. The decay schemes of 253 No and 249 Fm have been revisited. The known level scheme of 249 Fm has been confirmed, including a new level at 669 keV excitation energy. The observation of L X-rays in coincidence with the α decay of 249 Fm gives additional support to the ground-state configuration of 1 / 2 + [ 631 ] instead of 5 / 2 + [ 622 ] for 245 Cf. In both…

Shape coexistence in183Tl

Prompt and delayed $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays originating from the neutron deficient nucleus ${}^{183}\mathrm{Tl}$ have been observed using the recoil-decay tagging and recoil gating techniques. The band-head energy of the prolate $\ensuremath{\pi}{i}_{13/2}$ yrast band has been determined. The yrast structure has also been confirmed up to the ${(33/2}^{+})$ state. In addition, a candidate for the ${(11/2}^{\ensuremath{-}})$ level based on the $\ensuremath{\pi}{(h}_{11/2}{)}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ configuration has been observed.

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…

In-beam study of 253No using the SAGE spectrometer

The heavy actinide nucleus 253No (Z = 102) was studied using the (S)ilicon (A)nd (Ge)rmanium (SAGE) spectrometer allowing simultaneous in-beam $\gamma$ -ray and conversion electron spectroscopy at the accelerator laboratory of the University of Jyvaskyla. Using the recoil-tagging technique, $\gamma$ -electron coincidences have allowed for the extension of the level scheme in the lower-spin region of the yrast band. In addition, internal conversion coefficient (ICC) measurements to establish the multipolarity of transitions have been performed. Measurement of the interband-intraband branching ratios supports the assignment of the Nilsson band-head configuration $9/2^{-}[734]$ assigned in pre…

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…

Detailed spectroscopy of Bi195

An experiment focused on the study of shape coexistence and new high-spin structures in $^{195}\mathrm{Bi}$ has been performed. The nucleus is in a transitional region of the bismuth isotope chain. A large number of new states have been found, resulting in a significant extension of the previously known level scheme. Several new collective structures have been identified. A strongly coupled rotational band built upon the $13/{2}^{+}$ isomeric state was extended up to ${I}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}=(49/{2}^{+})$ and an energy of 5706 keV. The ${I}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}=31/{2}^{+}$ member of the $\ensuremath{\pi}{i}_{13/2}$ band was also found to feed a new long-lived isomeric state with an excitation …

First observation of excited states in182Pb

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…

Spectroscopy of193Bi

An experiment aiming to study the shape coexistence in 193Bi has been performed at the Accelerator laboratory of the University of Jyväskylä, Finland (JYFL). Many new states have been found, hugely extending the previously known level scheme of 193Bi. The Iπ=292+${I^\pi } = {{{29} \over 2}^ + }$ member of the πi13/2 band de-excites also to the previously, only tentatively placed long-lived isomeric state. This link determines the energy of the isomeric state to be 2260(1) keV and suggests a spin and parity of (272+)$\left( {{{{{27} \over 2}}^ + }} \right)$. The half-life of the isomeric state was measured to be 84.4(6) µs. A level structure on top of this isomeric state was constructed. How…

Shape coexistence in183Tl

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.

Production cross section and decay study of Es243 and Md249

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…

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

Spectroscopy of very neutron-deficient 187,189Bi isotopes

Shape coexistence is well known to occur in nuclei, in particular near closed shells [1], where particle-hole excitations across the shell gap can create deformed intruder states. In the neutron-deficient lead isotopes (Z = 82), deformed structures appear at low excitation energy. The isotope 188Pb [2] shows for example a triple shape coexistence with oblate and prolate excited 0+ states that compete with the spherical ground state. The study of the odd-proton single-particle excitations in Bi isotopes allows to obtain information on the orbitals involved in the different shapes observed in this mass region.

Probing structures of exotic heavy nuclei

The JYFL gas-filled recoil separator RITU, combined with Ge detector arrays, has successfully been employed in Recoil-Decay-Tagging (RDT) experiments in order to probe, for the first time, structures of several very neutron deficient heavy nuclei. In this contribution new data for light even-mass Hg, Pb and Po nuclei are shown and discussed. peerReviewed

Stability and synthesis of superheavy elements: Fighting the battle against fission – example of $^{254}$No

International audience; Superheavy nuclei exist solely due to quantum shell effects,which create a pocket in the potential-energy surface of the nucleus, thusproviding a barrier against spontaneous fission. Determining the height ofthe fission barrier and its angular-momentum dependence is important toquantify the role that microscopic shell corrections play in enhancing andextending the limits of nuclear stability. In this talk, the first measurement ofa fission barrier in the very heavy nucleus 254No will be presented.

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.

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

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…

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

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

Isomeric states in proton-unbound 187, 189Bi isotopes

Prompt and delayed gamma-ray spectroscopy of very neutron-deficient bismuth isotopes 187, 189Bi has been performed using the Recoil Decay Tagging (RTD) method. The isomeric i 13/2 states have been identified and their lifetimes have been measured. The systematics of these long-lived M2 isomers has been extended to the proton-unbound isotopes. The general behaviour of single-proton states is discussed within the systematics and interpreted within the shell-model framework.

Bridging the nuclear structure gap between stable and super heavy nuclei

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

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.

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.

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…

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

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

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

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…

Search for very long-lived isomers in the hafnium-tungsten region

Targets of ${}^{48}\mathrm{Ca}$ have been bombarded with ${}^{134,136}\mathrm{Xe}$ beams as part of a search for long-lived, high-K states in well-deformed nuclei with $A\ensuremath{\approx}180.$ Several known isomers were observed by off-line \ensuremath{\gamma}-ray detection, and limits have been established for high-K isomer production in various isotopes of hafnium $(A=175--178),$ tantalum $(A=177--181),$ and tungsten $(A=177--181).$

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…

AGATA-Advanced GAmma Tracking Array

WOS: 000300864200005

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 ...

Study of Intermediate-spin States of $^{98}$Y

The nuclear structure of the odd–odd nucleus 98Y has been re-investigated by observing prompt γ rays emitted following the proton-induced fission of a 238U target, using the JUROGAM-II multidetector array. New highspin decays have been observed and placed in the level schemes using triple coincidences. The experimental level energies and γ-decay patterns are compared to GICM and QPRM calculations, assuming that this neutronrich N = 59 isotone is spherical at low energies and prolate deformed at intermediate spins. Web of Science 47 3 916 911