Search

A search for isomeric gamma-decays among fission fragments from 345 MeV/nucleon 238U has been performed at the RIKEN Nishina Center RI Beam Factory. Fission fragments were selected and identified using the superconducting in-flight separator BigRIPS and were implanted in an aluminum stopper. Delayed gamma-rays were detected using three clover-type high-purity germanium detectors located at the focal plane within a time window of 20 microseconds following the implantation. We identified a total of 54 microsecond isomers with half-lives of ~0.1 - 10 microseconds, including discovery of 18 new isomers in very neutron-rich nuclei: 59Tim, 90Asm, 92Sem, 93Sem, 94Brm, 95Brm, 96Brm, 97Rbm, 108Nbm, 109Mom, 117Rum, 119Rum, 120Rhm, 122Rhm, 121Pdm, 124Pdm, 124Agm and 126Agm, and obtained a wealth of spectroscopic information such as half-lives, gamma-ray energies, gamma-ray relative intensities and gamma-gamma coincidences over a wide range of neutron-rich exotic nuclei. Proposed level schemes are presented for 59Tim, 82Gam, 92Brm, 94Brm, 95Brm, 97Rbm, 98Rbm, 108Nbm, 108Zrm, 109Mom, 117Rum, 119Rum, 120Rhm, 122Rhm, 121Pdm, 124Agm and 125Agm, based on the obtained spectroscopic information and the systematics in neighboring nuclei. Nature of the nuclear isomerism is discussed in relation to evolution of nuclear structure.

The density-matrix renormalization-group method is applied to the one-dimensional Kondo-lattice model with the Coulomb interaction between the conduction electrons. The spin and charge gaps are calculated as a function of the exchange constant $J$ and the Coulomb interaction $U_c$. It is shown that both the spin and charge gaps increase with increasing $J$ and $U_c$. The spin gap vanishes in the limit of $J \rightarrow 0$ for any $U_c$ with an exponential form, $\Delta_s\propto \exp{[-1/\alpha (U_c) J \rho]}$. The exponent, $\alpha (U_c)$, is determined as a function of $U_c$. The charge gap is generally much larger than the spin gap. In the limit of $J \rightarrow 0$, the charge gap vanishes as $\Delta_c=\frac{1}{2}J$ for $U_c=0$ but for a finite $U_c$ it tends to a finite value, which is the charge gap of the Hubbard model., Comment: RevTeX, 4 pages, 3 Postscript figures

The paramagnetic metallic phase of the one-dimensional Kondo lattice model is studied by the density-matrix renormalization- group method. We observe charge and spin Friedel oscillations. They reflect the long range charge-charge and spin-spin correlation functions. The observed oscillations are consistent with a Tomonaga-Luttinger liquid. From the period of the oscillations it is concluded that the Fermi surface is large, including both the conduction electrons and the localized spins, $k_F=\pi (1+n_c)/2$, where $n_c$ is the density of conduction electrons., Comment: RevTeX, 4 pages, 4 Postscript figures, to be published in Physical review B

Progress in the project to traverse the Pacific Ocean by manned balloon is summarized. The development of a hybrid lighter than aircraft combining the buoyancy of a gas bag with the vertical lift off capabilities of the helicopter is also addressed.