New states in heavy Cd isotopes and evidence for weakening of the N = 82 shell structure

A chemically selective laser ion source has been used in a β-decay study of heavy Ag isotopes into even-even Cd nuclides. Gamma-spectroscopic techniques in time-resolving event-by-event and multiscaling modes have permitted the identification of the first 2+ and 4+ levels in 126Cd78, 128Cd80, and tentatively the 2+ state in 130Cd82. From a comparison of these new states in 48Cd with the E(2+) and E(4+)/E(2+) level systematics of 46Pd and 52Te isotopes and several recent model predictions, possible evidence for a weakening of the spherical N = 82 neutron-shell below double-magic 132Sn is obtained.