The nuclear structure of 229Th

Abstract The γ -rays following the β − decay of 229 Ac have been investigated by means of γ -ray singles and γγ -coincidence measurements using Ge detectors. Multipolarities of 40 transitions in 229 Th have been established by measuring conversion electrons with a mini-orange electron spectrometer. The half-lives of the 146.35, 164.53 and 261.96 keV levels have been measured using the advanced time delayed βγγ (t) method. The low-lying states in 229 Th and observed transition rates have been interpreted within the quasiparticle–phonon model with inclusion of Coriolis coupling. Two octupole correlated parity partner bands, with K π =5/2 ± and K π =3/2 ± , were identified in 229 Th.