No Arabic abstract
The neutron-rich nucleus 74Ni was studied with inverse-kinematics inelastic proton scattering using a 74Ni radioactive beam incident on a liquid hydrogen targetat a center-of-mass energy of 80 MeV. From the measured de-excitation gamma-rays, the population of the first 2+ state was quantified. The angle-integrated excitation cross section was determined to be 14(4) mb. A deformation length of delta = 1.04(16) fm was extracted in comparison with distorted wave theory, which suggests that the enhancement of collectivity established for 70Ni continues up to 74Ni. A comparison with results of shell model and quasi-particle random phase approximation calculations indicates that the magic character of Z = 28 or N = 50 is weakened in 74Ni.
The lifetimes of the first 2$^{+}$ states in the neutron-deficient $^{76,78}$Sr isotopes were measured using a unique combination of the $gamma$-ray line-shape method and two-step nucleon exchange reactions at intermediate energies. The transition rates for the 2$^{+}$ states were determined to be $B$(E2;2$^{+}$$to 0^{+}$) = 2220(270) e$^{2}$fm$^{4}$ for $^{76}$Sr and 1800(250) e$^{2}$fm$^{4}$ for $^{78}$Sr, corresponding to large deformation of $beta_2$ = 0.45(3) for $^{76}$Sr and 0.40(3) for $^{78}$Sr. The present data provide experimental evidence for mutually enhanced collectivity that occurs at $N$ = $Z$ = 38. The systematic behavior of the excitation energies and $B$(E2) values indicates a signature of shape coexistence in $^{76}$Sr, characterizing $^{76}$Sr as one of most deformed nuclei with an unusually reduced $E$(4$^{+}$)/$E$(2$^{+}$) ratio.
The transition rates for the 2_{1}^{+} states in 62,64,66Fe were studied using the Recoil Distance Doppler-Shift technique applied to projectile Coulomb excitation reactions. The deduced E2 strengths illustrate the enhanced collectivity of the neutron-rich Fe isotopes up to N=40. The results are interpreted by the generalized concept of valence proton symmetry which describes the evolution of nuclear structure around N=40 as governed by the number of valence protons with respect to Z~30. The deformation suggested by the experimental data is reproduced by state-of-the-art shell calculations with a new effective interaction developed for the fpgd valence space.
The emergence of nuclear collectivity near doubly-magic $^{132}$Sn was explored along the stable, even-even $^{124-130}$Te isotopes. Preliminary measurements of the $B(E2;4^{+}_{1}rightarrow2^{+}_{1})$ transition strengths are reported from Coulomb excitation experiments primarily aimed at measuring the $g$ factors of the $4^{+}_{1}$ states. Isotopically enriched Te targets were excited by 198-205 MeV $^{58}$Ni beams. A comparison of transition strengths obtained is made to large-scale shell-model calculations with successes and limitations discussed.
We have studied via in-beam $gamma$-ray spectroscopy $^{196}$Po and $^{198}$Po, which are the first neutron-deficient Po isotopes to exhibit a collective low-lying structure. The ratios of yrast state energies and the E2 branching ratios of transitions from non-yrast to yrast states are indicative of a low-lying vibrational structure. The onset of collective motion in these isotopes can be attributed to the opening of the neutron i$_{13/2}$ orbital at N$approx$112 and the resulting large overlap between the two valence protons in the h$_{9/2}$ orbital and the valence neutrons in the i$_{13/2}$ orbital.
The neutron-rich N=50 isotones 82Ge and 84Se were investigated using intermediate-energy Coulomb excitation on a 197Au target and inelastic scattering on 9Be. As typical for intermediate-energy Coulomb excitation with projectile energies exceeding 70 MeV/nucleon, only the first 2^+ states were excited in 82Ge and 84Se. However, in the inelastic scattering on a 9Be target, a strong population of the first 4^+ state was observed for 84Se, while there is no indication of a similarly strong excitation of the corresponding state in the neighboring even-even isotone 82Ge. The results are discussed in the framework of systematics and shell-model calculations using three different effective interactions.