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…

High-spin spectroscopy of 140Nd

The population of the high-spin states in 140Nd was investigated using the reaction 96Zr(48Ca,4n). The results from two experiments, one with the EUROBALL array and one with the JUROGAM II + RITU + GREAT setup employing the recoil decay tagging technique, have been combined to develop a very detailed level scheme for 140Nd. Twelve bands of quadrupole transitions and eleven bands of dipole transitions were identified and their connections to low-lying states were established. Calculations using the cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky and the tilted axis cranking models were used to interpret the observed structures. The overall good agreement between the experimental results and the calculations assu…

Electromagnetic transition strengths in 109Te

Lifetime measurements have been made in the neutron-deficient nucleus 109Te using the coincident recoil distance Doppler-shift method. The experimental B(E2) values have been compared with state-of-the-art shellmodel calculations using the monopole-corrected realistic charge-dependent Bonn nucleon-nucleon potential. Lifetimes in the νh11/2 band are consistent with an interpretation based on the deformation driving properties of a single valence neutron outside of the even-even tellurium core and highlight the unexpected presence of collective behavior as the N = 50 shell closure is approached. Lifetime measurements for the low-lying positive-parity states also appear to correlate well with …

Octupole correlations in the structure of 0$_2^+$ bands in the N=88 nuclei 150Sm and 152Gd

Knowledge of the exact microscopic structure of the 01 + ground state and first excited 02 + state in 150Sm is required to understand the branching of double β decay to these states from 150Nd. The detailed spectroscopy of 150Sm and 152Gd has been studied using (α,xn) reactions and the γ -ray arrays AFRODITE and JUROGAM II. Consistently strong E1 transitions are observed between the excited Kπ = 02 + bands and the lowest negative parity bands in both nuclei. These results are discussed in terms of the possible permanent octupole deformation in the first excited Kπ = 02 + band and also in terms of the “tidal wave” model of Frauendorf. peerReviewed

The interaction between consumers during the online customer journey

The examination of the customer experience throughout customer journey is important to the business and academia. Creating a strong and positive experience within the customer journey will lead to better outcome by improving performance in customer travel at multiple touch points and through enhanced customer loyalty and word of mouth. There are a number of studies about interaction and online customer journey, but only a few research have explored social interactions between consumers during the online customer experience. The aim of this study is to explain how interaction between customers emerges during the online customer journey, which describes the overall customer experience from th…

Reduced transition probabilities along the yrast line in 166W

Lifetimes of excited states in the yrast band of the neutron-deficient nuclide 166W have been measured utilizing the DPUNS plunger device at the target position of the JUROGAM II γ -ray spectrometer in conjunction with the RITU gas-filled separator and the GREAT focal-plane spectrometer. Excited states in 166W were populated in the 92Mo(78Kr,4p) reaction at a bombarding energy of 380 MeV. The measurements reveal a low value for the ratio of reduced transitions probabilities for the lowest-lying transitions B(E2; 4+ → 2+)/B(E2; 2+ → 0+) = 0.33(5), compared with the expected ratio for an axially deformed rotor (B4/2 = 1.43). peerReviewed

Experimental investigation of the 0⁺₂ band in ¹⁵⁴Sm as a β-vibrational band

First prompt in-beam gamma-ray spectroscopy of a superheavy element: the 256Rf

Using state-of-the-art γ-ray spectroscopic techniques, the first rotational band of a superheavy element, extending up to a spin of 20 ¯h, 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…

Competing structures in very light bismuth isotopes

Prompt and delayed spectroscopy of 199At

The neutron-deficient nucleus At199 has been studied through γ-ray and electron spectroscopy, using the recoil-decay tagging technique. Two experiments were conducted, using a gas-filled recoil separator with a focal-plane spectrometer alone and together with a germanium-detector array at the target position. The resulting level scheme for At199 includes a new isomer with a half-life of 0.80(5) μs and a spin and parity of (29/2+). The 13/2+ isomer, which de-excites via an M2 transition to the 9/2− ground state, was measured to have a half-life of 70(20) ns. Our earlier version of the level scheme for At197 has been updated as well. peerReviewed

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

Identification of a dipole band above the Iπ = 31/2- isomeric state in 189Pb

A dipole band of six transitions built upon a firmly established I π = 31/2− isomeric state has been identified in 189Pb using recoil-isomer tagging. This is the lightest odd-mass Pb nucleus in which a dipole band is known. The dipole nature of the new transitions has been confirmed through angular-intensity arguments. The evolution of the excitation energy and the aligned-angular momentum of the states in the new dipole band are compared with those of dipole bands in heavier, odd-mass lead isotopes. This comparison suggests that the new band in 189Pb is based upon a π[s−2 1/2h9/2i13/2]11− ⊗ ν[i −1 13/2+ ]13/2+ configuration. However, the increased aligned-angular momentum in 189Pb may sugg…

Direct observation of the Ba 114 → Xe 110 → Te 106 → Sn 102 triple α -decay chain using position and time correlations

The triple α-decay chain 114Ba → 110Xe → 106Te → 102Sn has been directly observed for the first time, following the 58Ni(58Ni ,2n) reaction. Implantation of 114Ba nuclei into a double-sided silicon-strip detector has allowed their α decays to be correlated in position and time with the α decays of the daughter (110Xe) and granddaughter (106Te) nuclei. In total, 17 events have been assigned to the 114Ba → 110Xe → 106Te → 102Sn triple α-decay chain. The energy of the 114Ba α decay has been measured to be Eα = 3480(20) keV, which is 70 keV higher than the previously measured value, and the half-life of 114Ba has been measured with improved accuracy, to be 380+190 −110 ms. A revised Q12C value …

Transition probability studies in 175Au

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. peerReviewed

α decay of the πh11/2 isomer in Ir164

The α -decay branch of the πh 11 / 2 isomer in 164 Ir has been identified using the GREAT spectrometer. The 164 Ir nuclei were produced using the 92 Mo( 78 Kr ,p 5 n ) 164 Ir reaction and separated in flight using the recoil ion transport unit (RITU) gas-filled separator. The measured α -decay energy of 6880 ± 10 keV allowed the excitation of the πh 11 / 2 state in 160 Re to be deduced as 166 ± 14 keV. The half-life of 164 Ir was measured with improved precision to be 70 ± 10 μ sandan α -decay branching ratio of 4 ± 2% was determined. Improved half-life and branching ratio measurements were also obtained for 165 Ir, but no evidence was found for the ground-state decays of either 164 Ir or 1…

Shape coexistence in neutron-deficient Hg isotopes studied via lifetime measurements in Hg-184,Hg-186 and two-state mixing calculations

Abstract: The neutron-deficient mercury isotopes, 184 , 186 Hg, were studied with the recoil distance Doppler-shift method using the Gammasphere array and the K ̈ oln plunger device. The differential decay curve method was employed to determine the lifetimes of the yrast states in 184 , 186 Hg. An improvement on previously measured values of yrast states up to 8 + is presented as well as first values for the 9 3 state in 184 Hg and 10 + state in 186 Hg. B ( E 2) values are calculated and compared to a two-state mixing model which utilizes the variable moment of inertia model, allowing for extraction of spin-dependent mixing strengths and amplitudes. peerReviewed

Alpha-decay studies of the nuclides 195Rn and 196Rn

The new neutron deficient nuclide 195 Rn and the nuclide 196 Rn have been produced in fusion evaporation reactions using 56 Fe ions on 142 Nd targets. A gas-filled recoil separator was used to separate the fusion products from the scattered beam. The activities were implanted in a position sensitive silicon detector. The isotopes were identified using spatial and time correlations between implants and decays. Two α decaying isomeric states, with E α = 7536 ( 11 ) keV [ T 1 / 2 = ( 6 + 3 − 2 ) ms ] for the ground state and E α = 7555 ( 11 ) keV [ T 1 / 2 = ( 5 + 3 − 2 ) ms ] for an isomeric state were identified in 195 Rn . In addition, the half-life and α decay energy of 196 Rn were measure…

High-spin states beyond the proton drip-line: Quasiparticle alignments in Cs-113

Excited states have been studied in the deformed proton emitter 113Cs. Gamma-ray transitions have been unambiguously assigned to 113Cs by correlation with its characteristic proton decay, using the method of recoil-decay tagging. Two previously identified rotational bands have been observed and extended to tentative spins of 45/2 and 51/2 h¯, with excitation energies over 8 MeV above the lowest state. These are the highest angular momenta and excitation energies observed to date in any nucleus beyond the proton drip-line. Transitions in the bands have been rearranged compared to previous work. A study of aligned angular momenta, in comparison to the predictions of Woods–Saxon cranking calcu…

Detailed spectroscopy of 193Bi

An experiment aiming to study shape coexistence in 193Bi has been performed. Due to its transitional character, it has an exceptionally large number of structures identified close to the yrast line. Many new states have been found, significantly extending the previously known level scheme of 193Bi, including several new rotational bands. The π i13/2 band was extended to I π = 45/2+. The I π = 31/2+ member of the π i13/2 band was found to de-excite also to a long-lived isomeric state. This isomeric state is located at 2350 keV and has a spin and parity of 29/2+. The half-life of the isomeric state was measured to be 85(3) μs and it decays via the emission of an 84 keV E2 transition. A level …

Spectroscopy of 193Bi

Gamma-ray and decay spectroscopy of 194,195,196At

Excited states of 195At have been studied by means of in-beam γ -ray spectroscopy and the recoil-decay tagging technique. A strongly coupled rotational band feeding the α-decaying 7/2− state via unobserved transitions was identified. This band is presumably built on the oblate proton I π = 13/2+ state. Confirming earlier measurements, α decays from the 1/2+ and 7/2− states were observed. Additionally, an E3 branch competing with the α decay of the 7/2− state was inferred. Also α decays of the odd-odd isotopes 194,196At were examined. peerReviewed

Recoil-beta tagging study of the N=Z nucleus 66As

An in-beam study has been performed to further investigate the known isomeric decays and to identify T = 1 excited states in the medium-heavy N = Z = 33 nucleus 66As. The fusion-evaporation reaction 40Ca(28Si,pn) 66As was employed at beam energies of 75 and 83 MeV. The half-lives and ordering of two known isomeric states in 66As have been determined with improved accuracy. In addition, several prompt γ -ray transitions from excited states, both bypassing and decaying to the isomeric states in 66As, have been observed. Most importantly, candidates for the 4+ → 2+ and 6+ → 4+ transitions in the T = 1 band have been identified. The results are compared with shell-model calculations using the m…

Low-lying electromagnetic transition strengths in 180 Pt

Lifetime measurements have been performed using the 98 Mo ( 86 Kr , 4 n ) 180 Pt reaction at a beam energy of 380 MeV, and the recoil distance Doppler-shift method. In a second experiment the 168 Yb ( 16 O , 4 n ) 180 Pt reaction at a beam energy of 88 MeV using the Ge-gated γ − γ fast timing technique was used to determine lifetimes. Lifetimes of the four lowest yrast states of 180 Pt have been determined. The experimental data are compared to calculations within the framework of the interacting boson model and the general collective model. Both models predict a deformed ground state and are consistent with all the remaining experimental results. peerReviewed

Detailed spectroscopy of 195Bi

An experiment focused on the study of shape coexistence and new high-spin structures in 195 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 π = ( 49 / 2 + ) and an energy of 5706 keV. The I π = 31 / 2 + member of the π i 13 / 2 band was also found to feed a new long-lived isomeric state with an excitation energy of 2616 keV and a spin and parity of I π = 29 / 2 + . The half-life …

First observation of excited states of 173Hg

The neutron-deficient nucleus 173Hg has been studied following fusion-evaporation reactions. The observation of the decay of excited states via γ radiation 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 neighboring neutron-deficient Hg nuclei. In addition to the γ -ray spectroscopy, the α decay of this nucleus has been measured yielding superior precision to earlier measurements. peerReviewed

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

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…

Collective excitations in the transitional nuclei 163Re and 165Re

Excited states in the neutron-deficient nuclei 163 75 Re88 and 165 75 Re90 were populated in the 106Cd(60Ni, p2nγ ) and 92Mo(78Kr, 3p2nγ ) fusion-evaporation reactions at bombarding energies of 270 and 380 MeV, respectively. γ 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 163Re and 165Re were identified using recoil-decay correlation techniques. At low spin, the yrast bands of these isotopes consist of signature partner bands based on a single πh11/2 quasiproton configuration. The bands display large energy spl…