0000000000163509

AUTHOR

David O'donnell

Structure of the As, Ge, Ga nuclei

Abstract The level structures of the N = 50 83As, 82Ge, and 81Ga isotones have been investigated by means of multi-nucleon transfer reactions. A first experiment was performed with the CLARA–PRISMA setup to identify these nuclei. A second experiment was carried out with the GASP array in order to deduce the γ-ray coincidence information. The results obtained on the high-spin states of such nuclei are used to test the stability of the N = 50 shell closure in the region of 78Ni ( Z = 28 ). The comparison of the experimental level schemes with the shell-model calculations yields an N = 50 energy gap value of 4.7(3) MeV at Z = 28 . This value, in a good agreement with the prediction of the fini…

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Collective excitations in the transitional nucleiRe163andRe165

Excited states in the neutron-deficient nuclei ${}_{75}^{163}{\mathrm{Re}}_{88}$ and ${}_{75}^{165}{\mathrm{Re}}_{90}$ were populated in the ${}^{106}{\mathrm{Cd}(}^{60}\mathrm{Ni},\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}p2n\ensuremath{\gamma})$ and ${}^{92}{\mathrm{Mo}(}^{78}\mathrm{Kr}$, $3p2n\ensuremath{\gamma})$ fusion-evaporation reactions at bombarding energies of 270 and 380 MeV, respectively. \ensuremath{\gamma} rays were detected at the target position using the JUROGAM spectrometer while recoiling ions were separated in-flight by the RITU gas-filled recoil separator and implanted in the GREAT spectrometer. The energy level schemes for $^{163}\mathrm{Re}$ and $^{165}\mathrm{Re}$ were identifie…

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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 ...

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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.

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Reduced transition probabilities along the yrast line in W-166

WOS: 000406755100001

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Excited states and reduced transition probabilities in Os168

The level scheme of the neutron-deficient nuclide 168Os has been extended and mean lifetimes of excited states have been measured by the recoil distance Doppler-shift method using the JUROGAM \gamma-ray spectrometer in conjunction with the IKP K\"oln plunger device. The 168Os \gamma rays were measured in delayed coincidence with recoiling fusion-evaporation residues detected at the focal plane of the RITU gas-filled separator. The ratio of reduced transition probabilities B(E2;4_1^+ \rightarrow 2_1^+)/B(E2;2_1^+ \rightarrow 0_1^+) is measured to be 0.34(18), which is very unusual for collective band structures and cannot be reproduced by IBM-2 model calculations based on the SkM* energy-den…

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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 ...

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A charge plunger device to measure the lifetimes of excited nuclear states where transitions are dominated by internal conversion

Abstract A charge plunger device has been commissioned based on the DPUNS plunger (Taylor et al., 2013) using the in-flight mass separator MARA at the University of Jyvaskyla. The 152 Sm (32 S ,4 n )180 Pt reaction was used to populate excited states in 180 Pt . A lifetime measurement of the 2 1 + state was performed by applying the charge plunger technique, which relies on the detection of the charge state-distribution of recoils rather than the detection of the emitted γ rays. This state was a good candidate to test the charge plunger technique as it has a known lifetime and depopulates through a converted transition that competes strongly with γ -ray emission. The lifetime of the 2 1 + s…

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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}…

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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, ...

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Lifetime measurements in 166Re : Collective versus magnetic rotation

WOS: 000371740600004

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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…

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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…

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Study of medium-spin states of neutron-rich 87, 89, 91Rb isotopes

International audience; Excited states of the rubidium isotopes$_{37}^{87, 89, 91}$Rb have been studied at the INFN Legnaro National Laboratory. Measurements of the $\gamma$ -ray decay of fragments produced in binary grazing reactions resulting from the interaction of a beam of 530 MeV$^{96}$Zr ions with a$^{124}$Sn target have been complemented by studies of the $\gamma$ -ray decay of fission fragments produced in the interaction of a beam of 230 MeV$^{36}$S ions with a thick$^{176}$Yb target. The structure of the yrast states of$_{37}^{87, 89, 91}$Rb has been discussed within the context of spherical shell-model and cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky calculations.

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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 ...

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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.

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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. © …

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Competing quasiparticle configurations in W-163

WOS: 000274002700019

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Single-particle and collective excitations in the transitional nucleus 166Os

The mean lifetimes of the lowest energy 2(+), 8(+) and 9(-) states in Os-166 have been measured using the recoil distance Doppler-shift method in conjunction with a selective recoil-decay tagging t ...

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Decay of a 19− isomeric state in Lu156

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 ...

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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.

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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.

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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…

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Fine structure in the α decay of high-spin isomers in Lu155 and Hf156

Fine structure in the a decay of high-spin isomers in Lu-155( 25/2(-)) and Hf-156(8(+))has been studied for the first time using alpha gamma- coincidence analysis. Three new a decays from Lu-155(25 ...

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Spectroscopy at the two-proton drip line: Excited states in 158W

Abstract Excited states have been identified in the heaviest known even-Z N = 84 isotone 158W, which lies in a region of one-proton emitters and the two-proton drip line. The observation of γ-ray transitions feeding the ground state establishes the excitation energy of the yrast 6+ state confirming the spin-gap nature of the α-decaying 8+ isomer. The 8+ isomer is also expected to be unbound to two-proton emission but no evidence for this decay mode was observed. An upper limit for the two-proton decay branch has been deduced as b 2 p ≤ 0.17% at the 90% confidence level. The possibility of observing two-proton emission from multiparticle isomers in nearby nuclides is considered.

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Identification of a 6.6μs isomeric state in Ir175

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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…

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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 ...

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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…

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Evolution of Octupole Deformation in Radium Nuclei from Coulomb Excitation of Radioactive Ra222 and Ra228 Beams

There is sparse direct experimental evidence that atomic nuclei can exhibit stable "pear" shapes arising from strong octupole correlations. In order to investigate the nature of octupole collectivity in radium isotopes, electric octupole (E3) matrix elements have been determined for transitions in ^{222,228}Ra nuclei using the method of sub-barrier, multistep Coulomb excitation. Beams of the radioactive radium isotopes were provided by the HIE-ISOLDE facility at CERN. The observed pattern of E3 matrix elements for different nuclear transitions is explained by describing ^{222}Ra as pear shaped with stable octupole deformation, while ^{228}Ra behaves like an octupole vibrator.

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Fine structure in the α decay of Lu156 and Ta158

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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…

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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…

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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

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

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High-spin states of $^{218}$Th

Abstract High-spin states in the N = 128 nucleus 218Th have been investigated following fusion–evaporation reactions, using the recoil-decay tagging technique. Due to the short-lived nature of the ground state of 218Th prompt γ rays have been correlated with the α decay of the daughter nucleus 214Ra. The level scheme representing the decay of excited states has been extended to (16+) with the observation of six previously unreported transitions. The observations are compared with the results of shell model calculations and within the context of the systematics of neighbouring nuclei.

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The observation of vibrating pear-shapes in radon nuclei

6 pags., 4 fig.s, 1 tab. -- Open Access funded by Creative Commons Atribution Licence 4.0

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Lifetime measurements of excited states in W162 and W164 and the evolution of collectivity in rare-earth nuclei

Lifetimes of the first excited 2(+) states in the extremely neutron- deficient W-162 and W-164 nuclei have been measured using the recoil distance Doppler shift technique. Experimental B(E2) data f ...

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Coulomb excitation of pear-shaped nuclei

There is a large body of evidence that atomic nuclei can undergo octupole distortion and assume the shape of a pear. This phenomenon is important for measurements of electric-dipole moments of atoms, which would indicate CP violation and hence probe physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. Isotopes of both radon and radium have been identified as candidates for such measurements. Here, we have observed the low-lying quantum states in 224Rn and 226Rn by accelerating beams of these radioactive nuclei. We show that radon isotopes undergo octupole vibrations but do not possess static pear-shapes in their ground states. We conclude that radon atoms provide less favourable condition…

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