gamma-vibrational states in superheavy nuclei

Recent experimental advances have made it possible to study excited structure in superheavy nuclei. The observed states have often been interpreted as quasiparticle excitations. We show that in superheavy nuclei collective vibrations systematically appear as low-energy excitation modes. By using the microscopic Triaxial Projected Shell Model, we make a detailed prediction on gamma-vibrational states and their E2 transition probabilities to the ground state band in fermium and nobelium isotopes where active structure research is going on, and in (270)Ds, the heaviest isotope where decay data have been obtained for the ground-state and for an isomeric state.

Structure of upper-g(9/2)-shell nuclei and shape effect in the Ag-94 isomeric states

Using a shell model which is capable of describing the spectra of upper g(9/2)-shell nuclei close to the N = Z line, we study the structure of two isomeric states 7(+) and 21(+) in the odd-odd N = Z nucleus Ag-94. It is found that both isomeric states exhibit a large collectivity. The 7(+) state is oblately deformed, and is suggested to be a shape isomer in nature. The 21(+) state becomes isomeric because of level inversion of the 19(+) and 21(+) states due to core excitations across the N = Z = 50 shell gap. Calculation of spectroscopic quadrupole moment indicates clearly an enhancement in these states due to the core excitations. However, the present shell model calculation that produces the 19(+)-21(+) level inversion cannot accept the large-deformation picture of Mukha et al.

Identification of a new band and its signature inversion in Re-174

High spin states in Re-174 are investigated via the Sm-152(Al-27, 5n gamma)Re-174 reaction and gamma-gamma coincidence relationships are analysed carefully. A new band is identified due to its spectroscopic connection with the known pi 1/2(-)[541] circle times nu 1/2(-)[521] band. This band is proposed to be the ground-state band built on the pi 1/2(-)[541] circle times nu 5/2(-)[512] configuration in view of the low-lying intrinsic states in the neighbouring odd-mass nuclei. It is of particular interesting that the new band exhibits a phenomenon of low-spin signature inversion, providing a new situation for theoretical investigations.

Band properties of the transitional nucleus Pt-187

High-spin states in Pt-187 have been studied experimentally using the Yb-173(O-18, 4n) reaction at beam energies of 78 and 85 MeV. The previously known bands based on the nu i(13/2),nu 7/2(-)[503], and nu i(13/2)(2)nu j configurations have been extended to high-spin states, and new rotational bands associated with the nu 3/2(-)[512] and nu 1/2(-)[521] Nilsson orbits have been identified. The total Routhian surface calculations indicate that the transitional nucleus Pt-187 is very soft with respect to beta and gamma deformations. The band properties, such as level spacings, band crossing frequencies, alignment gains, and signature splittings, have been compared with the systematics observed in neighboring nuclei and have been interpreted within the framework of the cranked shell model. The rotational bands show different band crossing frequencies, which can be explained by the alignment either of i(13/2) neutrons or of h(9/2) protons. Importantly, evidence is presented for a pi h(9/2) alignment at very low frequency in the nu 7/2(-)[503] band. The proton nature of the band crossing is strongly suggested by comparing the measured B(M1;I -> I-1)/B(E2;I -> I-2) ratios with the theoretical values from the semiclassical Donau and Frauendof approach.

Study of multi-quasiparticle excited states in Ce-139

High-spin states in Ce-139 have been populated using the Te-130(C-12, 3n) reaction at beam energy of 50MeV. The level scheme of Ce-139 has been revised and extended greatly up to E=5765.0keV. The level structure of Ce-139 shows typical characteristics of spherical nucleus, and the high-spin states were formed by the excitations of valence nucleons. Energies of the yrast and near yrast high-spin states in Ce-139 have been calculated by the empirical shell model, and the multi-quasiparticle nature of high-spin excited states has been discussed.

Quasiparticle nature of rotational bands in Pt-187

The high-spin states in Pt-187 have been studied experimentally by means of in-beam gamma-ray spectroscopy techniques via the Yb-173(O-18, 4n) fusion-evaporation reaction. The high-spin level scheme of Pt-187 has been established, including three rotational bands. Based on the systematics of level structure in neighboring nuclei and by comparing the experimental and theoretical B(M1)/B(E2) ratios, configurations of 11/2+ [615], 7/2(-)[5031 and 1/2(-)[521] have been proposed for the three rotational bands, respectively. Band properties of band crossing frequency, alignment gain and signature splitting have been discussed.

Search for signature inversion in the pi i(13/2)circle times nu i(13/2) bands in Au-182,Au-184,Au-186

Search for low-spin signature inversion in the pi i(13/2) circle times nu i(13/2) bands in odd-odd Au-182,Au-184,Au-186 has been conducted through the standard in-beam gamma-spectroscopy techniques via the Sm-152(Cl-35,5n) Au-182, Yb-172(F-19,5n) (186)An, and Tb-159(Si-29,4n) (184)An reactions, respectively. The pi i(13/2) circle times nu i(13/2) bands in these three nuclei have been identified and extended up to high-spin states. In particular, the inter-band connection between the pi i(13/2) circle times nu i(13/2) band and the ground-state band in Au-184 has been established, leading to a firm spin-and-parity assignment for the pi i(13/2) circle times nu i(13/2) band. The low-spin signature inversion is found in the pi i(13/2) circle times nu i(13/2) bands according to our spin-assignment and-the signature crossing observed at high-spin states.

Properties of the pi h(9/2)circle times nu i(13/2) oblate band in Tl-188

High spin states in Tl-188 have been investigated via the Gd-157(Cl-35,4n) reaction at beam energy of 170 MeV. A rotational band built on the pi h(9/2) circle times nu(13/2) configuration with oblate deformation has been established. Considering the similarity between the band structure observed in odd-odd Tl nuclei, spin values have been tentatively proposed for the new band in Tl-188. The pi h(9/2) circle times nu(13/2) oblate band in Tl-188 shows low-spin signature inversion, and it can be interpreted qualitatively by the two quasiparticle plus rotor model including a J-dependent p-n residual interaction.

Signature inversion in pi h(9/2) circle times nu i(13/2) oblate band of Tl-188

High-spin Level structure of Tl-188 has been studied via Gd-157 (Cl-35,4n) fusion-evaporation reaction at beam energy of 170MeV. A rotational band built on the pi h(9/2) circle times nu i(13/2) configuration with oblate deformation has been established. Spin values have been proposed to the pi h(9/2) circle times nu i(13/2) oblate band based on the similarities between the oblate band of Tl-188 and those in odd-odd Tl190-200. With the spin assignments, the low-spin signature inversion has been revealed for the pi h(9/2) circle times nu i(13/2) oblate band of Tl-188. The low-spin signature inversion can be interpreted qualitatively in the framework of the quasi-particles plus rotor model including a J dependent p-n residual interaction.

Study of quasiparticles bands in odd-odd Au-188

High-spin level structure of Au-188 has been studied via the Yb-173(F-19, 4n gamma) reaction using techniques of in-beam gamma-ray spectroscopy. Based on the experimental results, the level scheme of 188Au has been revised significantly. The previously reported positive parity levels have been modified and a new 20(+) level was proposed to feed the 18(+) states via two low-energy transitions. The existence of the 20(+) and the level structures above it are similar to those in the neighboring odd-odd Au-190,Au-192, therefore, the pi h(11/12)(-1)circle times-vi(13/2)(-2)h(9/2)(-1) configuration was assigned to the 20(+) state.

Rotation alignment in neutron-rich Cr isotopes: A probe of deformed single-particle levels across N=40

Recent experiments have reached the neutron-rich Cr isotope with N = 40 and confirmed enhanced collectivity near this subshell. The current data focus on low-spin spectroscopy only, with little information on the states where high-j particles align their spins with the system rotation. By applying the projected shell model, we show that rotation alignment occurs in neutron-rich even-even Cr nuclei as early as spin 8 (h) over bar h and, owing to shell filling, the aligning particles differ in different isotopes. It is suggested that observation of irregularities in moments of inertia is a direct probe of the deformed single-particle scheme in this exotic mass region.

Identification of a quasiparticle band in very neutron-rich Zr-104

The high spin levels of a very neutron-rich Zr-104 nucleus have been reinvestigated by measuring the prompt. rays in the spontaneous fission of Cf-252. The ground-state band has been confirmed. A new sideband has been identified with a band-head energy at 1928.7 keV. The projected shell model is employed to investigate the band structure of Zr-104. The results of calculated levels are in good agreement with the experimental data, and suggest that the new band in Zr-104 may be based on the neutron nu 5/2(-)[532] circle times nu 3/2(+)[411] configuration.

Extracting single-particle information for the superheavy mass region by studying excited structure in transfermium nuclei

Recent experimental advances have made it possible to study spectroscopy in very heavy nuclei. We show that from the excited high-spin structure of transfermium isotopes, one may gain useful information on single-particle states for the superheavy mass region, which is the key to locating the anticipated 'island of stability'. In this work, we employ the Projected Shell Model for Cf, Fm, and No isotopes to study rotation alignment of the particles that occupy particular high-j intruder orbitals.

Structure evolution along the yrast-line in Pd-101

High-spin states in Pd-101 have been investigated experimentally via the Ge-76(Si-28, 3n gamma)Pd-101 reaction. The previously known bands based on the d(5/2) and h(11/2) neutron orbitals have been extended to higher-spin states, and two new structures have been observed. Spin and parity were assigned to the levels on the basis of the experimental results of the angular distribution of gamma rays deexciting the oriented states. For the ground-state band, the E-GOS (E-Gamma Over Spin) curve strongly suggests a structure transition from vibration to rotation while increasing spin.

Dipole bands in nucleus Pm-139

High-spin states in nucleus Pm-139 have been studied using the reaction Cd-116(Al-27, 4n)Pm-139. Two dipole cascades have been found. Spin and parity assignments were based on the Directional Correlation of Oriented Nuclei (DCO) ratios and systematic behavior in neighboring odd-proton nuclei. The level structures of Pm-139 are compared with those of the N = 78 isotone Eu-141 in which two dipole bands have been confirmed as magnetic rotational bands. The close similarity between them suggests that the dipole bands in Pm-139 may be magnetic rotational bands.