Odd neutron nuclei near A=100: Rotational bands in103Mo and105Mo populated in the? ? decays of103Nb and105Nb

Theβ − decays of103Nb and105Nb have been studied at the fission product separators JOSEF and LOHENGRIN. Half-lives of (1.5±0.2) s and (2.95±0.06) s, respectively, have been determined for these decays. Fromγ singles andγ-γ coincidence measurements extended level schemes for103Mo and105Mo have been established for the first time. The lowest energy levels of these nuclei are consistent with the interpretation as members of rotational bands built on a 3/2+ [411] Nilsson state. Evidence is presented for the location of the 9/2+ [404] configuration.

Search for long-lived superheavy elements in the reaction of136Xe with238U

A search with radiochemical methods for long-lived superheavy elements in 238U targets bombarded with intense beams of136Xe ions produced negative results. A formation cross section of ≤1×10−35 cm2 is deduced at 95% confidence level for nuclides with half-lives between 1 and 200 d.

Hafnium and Lutetium Isomers Produced in Heavy-lon Collisions of 7.6 MeV/u 40Ar, 8.5 MeV/u 84 Kr and 8.5 MeV/u 136Xe on natW Targets

Evidence for rotational bands in103Nb

The nucleus103Nb62 has been studied through the s− decay of the fission product103Zr at LOHENGRIN and JOSEF. The energies of the lowlying levels and the γ transitions indicate rotational bands based on the Nilsson proton configurations [422 5/2+] [303 5/2−] and [301 3/2−] at 0, 164 and 248 keV, respectively. The measured half-lives of (4.7±0.5) ns and (2.0±0.6) ns of the levels at 164 and 248 keV are consistent with the Nilsson-model estimates including pairing.

Decay properties of neutron-rich niobium isotopes

The decay of neutron-rich niobium isotopes in the mass region $A\ensuremath{\simeq}100$ has been investigated by $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray singles and $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-$\ensuremath{\gamma}$ coincidence measurements. The isotopes were produced by thermal-neutron induced fission of $^{235}\mathrm{U}$, $^{239}\mathrm{Pu}$, and $^{249}\mathrm{Cf}$, and niobium was separated from fission-product mixtures with an automated chemical procedure. Isomerism was found in the even-mass niobium isotopes with the following half-lives: 1.5 and 3.1 sec for $^{100}\mathrm{Nb}$, 1.3 and 4.3 sec for $^{102}\mathrm{Nb}$, and 0.8 and 4.8 sec for $^{104}\mathrm{Nb}$. Half-lives and $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays…