Search

Neutron-rich Pm ( Z = 61 ) isotopes were studied by delayed γ -ray spectroscopy at RIBF, RIKEN Nishina Center using the in-flight fission of a 345 MeV/nucleon U 238 beam. A cluster-type Ge detector array, EURICA, was used to measure the delayed γ rays from stopped ions. Isomeric γ decays were observed in Pm 159 and Pm 161 with half-lives of 4.97(12) μ s and 0.79(4) μ s , respectively. Level schemes for Pm 159 and Pm 161 were constructed in this study. The isomeric states of Pm 159 and Pm 161 could be interpreted as two quasiparticle excitations of neutrons with the configurations of ν ( 7 / 2 [ 633 ] ⊗ 5 / 2 [ 523 ] ) and ν ( 7 / 2 [ 633 ] ⊗ 1 / 2 [ 521 ] ) , respectively. They are analogous to the isomers that have been observed systematically in other even-mass N = 98 and N = 100 isotones in this region. A projected shell model calculation was performed and it reproduced the order of three-quasiparticle states only if new Nilsson parameters with an N -dependent spin-orbit interaction were used. This work demonstrates that the strength of spin-orbit interactions in standard Nilsson parameters needs to be modified to study the properties of neutron-rich rare-earth nuclei around A = 165 , and provides new evidence supporting the existence of the deformed N = 98 subshell gap in odd-mass nuclei for the first time.

We report here the results of a study of the $\beta$ decay of the proton-rich Ge isotopes, $^{60}$Ge and $^{62}$Ge, produced in an experiment at the RIKEN Nishina Center. We have improved our knowledge of the half-lives of $^{62}$Ge (73.5(1) ms), $^{60}$Ge (25.0(3) ms) and its daughter nucleus, $^{60}$Ga (69.4(2) ms). We measured individual $\beta$-delayed proton and $\gamma$ emissions and their related branching ratios. Decay schemes and absolute Fermi and Gamow-Teller transition strengths have been determined. The mass excesses of the nuclei under study have been deduced. A total $\beta$-delayed proton-emission branching ratio of 67(3)% has been obtained for $^{60}$Ge. New information has been obtained on the energy levels populated in $^{60}$Ga and on the 1/2$^-$ excited state in the $\beta p$ daughter $^{59}$Zn. We extracted a ground state to ground state feeding of 85.3(3)% for the decay of $^{62}$Ge. Eight new $\gamma$ lines have been added to the de-excitation of levels populated in the $^{62}$Ga daughter.

11 pags., 8 figs., 2 tabs., The β decay of the semimagic Sn isotopes Sn136,137,138 has been studied at the Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory at the RIKEN Nishina Center. The first experimental information on excited states was obtained for Sb137 while, in the case of Sb136, the established excitation scheme could be extended by ten previously unidentified levels. In the decay of the most-neutron-rich isotope Sn138, two γ rays were observed for the first time. The new experimental results, in combination with state-of-the-art shell-model calculations, provide the first information with respect to the evolution of the 0g7/2 and 1d5/2 proton single-particle states with increasing neutron number beyond N=84., We thank the staff of the RIKEN Nishina Center accelerator complex for providing high-intensity beams to the experiment. This work was supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación under contracts FPA2014-57196-C5-4-P and FPA2017-84756-C4-2-P and the UK Science and Technology Facilities Council under Grant No. ST/P005101/1. Zs.V. was supported by the European Regional Development Fund (Contract No. GINOP-2.3.3- 15-2016-00034), the National Research Development and Innovation Fund of Hungary (Grant No. K128947), and by RIKEN as short-term International Program Associate.

We performed the first direct mass measurements of neutron-rich scandium, titanium, and vanadium isotopes around the neutron number 40 at the RIKEN RI Beam Factory using the time-of-flight magnetic-rigidity technique. The atomic mass excesses of ^{58-60}Sc, ^{60-62}Ti, and ^{62-64}V were measured for the first time. The experimental results show that the two-neutron separation energies in the vicinity of ^{62}Ti increase compared to neighboring nuclei. This shows that the masses of Ti isotopes near N=40 are affected by the Jahn-Teller effect. Therefore, a development of Jahn-Teller stabilization appears below the Cr isotopes, and the systematics in Sc, Ti, and V isotopes suggest that ^{62}Ti is located close to the peak of the Jahn-Teller effect.

We report on new γ-ray spectroscopy results from β decays of In99 and Sn101. 30 new γ rays were observed following the β decay of In99, and inconsistencies in the literature with respect to the γ rays following the β decay of Sn101 were addressed with two confirmed cases and two new transitions. The experimental γ-ray energies, intensities, and coincidence relationships are discussed with shell model calculations, where theoretical β-decay branching ratios from the parent nuclei and γ-ray cascades of excited states from the daughter nuclei were combined to generate hypothetical βγ spectra and βγγ coincidence matrices. The most intense β-delayed γ-ray branches in both Cd99 and In101 were well reproduced with this approach, and several γ rays were assigned to new excited states based on their good agreement with shell model predictions.

The heaviest bound isotope of boron ^{19}B has been investigated using exclusive measurements of its Coulomb dissociation, into ^{17}B and two neutrons, in collisions with Pb at 220 MeV/nucleon. Enhanced electric dipole (E1) strength is observed just above the two-neutron decay threshold with an integrated E1 strength of B(E1)=1.64±0.06(stat)±0.12(sys) e^{2} fm^{2} for relative energies below 6 MeV. This feature, known as a soft E1 excitation, provides the first firm evidence that ^{19}B has a prominent two-neutron halo. Three-body calculations that reproduce the energy spectrum indicate that the valence neutrons have a significant s-wave configuration and exhibit a dineutronlike correlation.

The $\beta$-decay half-lives of 55 neutron-rich nuclei $^{134-139}$Sn, $^{134-142}$Sb, $^{137-144}$Te, $^{140-146}$I, $^{142-148}$Xe, $^{145-151}$Cs, $^{148-153}$Ba, $^{151-155}$La were measured at the Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory (RIBF) employing the projectile fission fragments of $^{238}$U. The nuclear level structure, which relates to deformation, has a large effect on the half-lives. The impact of newly-measured half-lives on modeling the astrophysical origin of the heavy elements is studied in the context of $r$ process nucleosynthesis. For a wide variety of astrophysical conditions, including those in which fission recycling occurs, the half-lives have an important local impact on the second ($A$ $\approx$ 130) peak.

Isotope-production cross sections for p-, d-, and C-induced spallation reactions on Nb93 at 113 MeV/nucleon were measured using the inverse-kinematics method employing secondary targets of CH2, CD2, and C. The measured cross sections for Mo90, Nb90, Y86,88 produced by p-induced reactions were found to be consistent with those measured by the conventional activation method. We performed benchmark tests of the reaction models INCL-4.6, JQMD, and JQMD-2.0 implemented in the Particle and Heavy Ion Transport code System (PHITS) and of the nuclear data libraries JENDL-4.0/HE, TENDL-2017, and ENDF/B-VIII.0. The model calculations also showed generally good agreement with the measured isotope-production cross sections for p-, d-, and C-induced reactions. It also turns out that, among the three nuclear data libraries, JENDL-4.0/HE provides the best agreement with the measured data for the p-induced reactions. We compared the present Nb93 data with the Zr93 data, that were measured previously by the same inverse kinematics method (Kawase et al., Prog. Theor. Exp. Phys. 2017, 093D03 (2017)2050-391110.1093/ptep/ptx110), with particular attention to the effect of neutron-shell closure on isotope production in p- and d-induced spallation reactions. The isotopic distributions of the measured production cross sections in the Zr93 data showed noticeable jumps at neutron number N=50 in the isotopic chains of ΔZ=0 and -1, whereas no such jump appeared in isotopic chain of ΔZ=0 in the Nb93 data. From INCL-4.6 + GEM calculations, we found that the jump formed in the evaporation process is smeared out by the intranuclear cascade component in Nb91 produced by the Nb93(p,p2n) and (d,d2n) reactions on Nb93. Moreover, for Nb93, the distribution of the element-production cross sections as a function of the change in proton number ΔZ is shifted to smaller ΔZ than for Zr93, because the excited Nb prefragments generated by the cascade process are more likely to emit protons than the excited Zr prefragments, due to the smaller proton-separation energies of the Nb isotopes.

A record number of ^{100}Sn nuclei was detected and new isotopic species toward the proton dripline were discovered at the RIKEN Nishina Center. Decay spectroscopy was performed with the high-efficiency detector arrays WAS3ABi and EURICA. Both the half-life and the β-decay end point energy of ^{100}Sn were measured more precisely than the literature values. The value and the uncertainty of the resulting strength for the pure 0^{+}→1^{+} Gamow-Teller decay was improved to B_{GT}=4.4_{-0.7}^{+0.9}. A discrimination between different model calculations was possible for the first time, and the level scheme of ^{100}In is investigated further.

The β-delayed γ-ray spectroscopy of neutron-rich 123;125Ag isotopes is investigated at the Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory of RIKEN and the long-predicted 1/2¯ β-emitting isomers in 123;125Ag are identified for the first time. With the new experimental results, the systematic trend of energy spacing between the lowest 9/2+ and 1/2¯ levels is extended in Ag isotopes up to N = 78, providing a clear signal for the reduction of the Z = 40 subshell gap in Ag towards N = 82. Shellmodel calculations with the state-of-the-art VMU plus M3Y spin-orbit interaction give a satisfactory description of the low-lying states in 123;125Ag. The tensor force is found to play a crucial role in the evolution of the size of the Z = 40 subshell gap. The observed inversion of the single particle levels around 123Ag can be well interpreted in terms of the monopole shift of the π1g9/2 orbitals mainly caused by the increasing occupation of ʋ1h11/2 orbitals.

A decay spectroscopy experiment on proton-rich nuclei in the vicinity of the doubly magic Sn100 was carried out at RIKEN Nishina Center. More than 20 nuclei with 43≤Z≤50 and N≤51, produced by fragmentation reactions were investigated via analyses of β-decay, βp-decay, and subsequent γ-ray data. Owing to higher statistics, the precision on the half-lives of many of the ground states and isomers was improved. β-decay endpoint energies of 11 states in 8 nuclei were measured for the first time, and the corresponding QEC and excitation energies were generally consistent with various mass models. Many β-delayed proton emission branching ratios were measured either for the first time or with higher precision compared to literature values, and some of them differed by more than 2σ. Many of the large discrepancies were associated with nuclei with long-lived isomeric states, highlighting large systematic uncertainties involved in these measurements. Twenty-five new γ rays were observed, and ten new states are proposed with unambiguous excitation energies, spins, and parities. Most of the energies of the excited states were consistent within 300 keV or 20%, whichever was greater, compared to shell model predictions in the proton/neutron (p1/2,g9/2) model space assuming a Sr76 core. A signature of a new (1/2-) isomer in Cd97 with T1/2=0.73(7) s was found, in good agreement with shell model predictions.

The key parameter to discuss the possibility of the pion condensation in nuclear matter, i.e., the so-called Landau-Migdal parameter g^{'}, was extracted by measuring the double-differential cross sections for the (p,n) reaction at 216 MeV/u on a neutron-rich doubly magic unstable nucleus, ^{132}Sn with the quality comparable to data taken with stable nuclei. The extracted strengths for Gamow-Teller (GT) transitions from ^{132}Sn leading to ^{132}Sb exhibit the GT giant resonance (GTR) at the excitation energy of 16.3±0.4(stat)±0.4(syst) MeV with the width of Γ=4.7±0.8 MeV. The integrated GT strength up to E_{x}=25 MeV is S_{GT}^{-}=53±5(stat)_{-10}^{+11}(syst), corresponding to 56% of Ikeda's sum rule of 3(N-Z)=96. The present result accurately constrains the Landau-Migdal parameter as g^{'}=0.68±0.07, thanks to the high sensitivity of the GTR energy to g^{'}. In combination with previous studies on the GTR for ^{90}Zr and ^{208}Pb, the result of this work shows the constancy of this parameter in the nuclear chart region with (N-Z)/A=0.11 to 0.24 and A=90 to 208.

We perform the first direct mass measurements of neutron-rich calcium isotopes beyond neutron number 34 at the RIKEN Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory by using the time-of-flight magnetic-rigidity technique. The atomic mass excesses of ^{55-57}Ca are determined for the first time to be -18650(160), -13510(250), and -7370(990) keV, respectively. We examine the emergence of neutron magicity at N=34 based on the new atomic masses. The new masses provide experimental evidence for the appearance of a sizable energy gap between the neutron 2p_{1/2} and 1f_{5/2} orbitals in ^{54}Ca, comparable to the gap between the neutron 2p_{3/2} and 2p_{1/2} orbitals in ^{52}Ca. For the ^{56}Ca nucleus, an open-shell property in neutrons is suggested.

The discovery of the important neutron-rich nucleus _{20}^{60}Ca_{40} and seven others near the limits of nuclear stability is reported from the fragmentation of a 345 MeV/u ^{70}Zn projectile beam on ^{9}Be targets at the radioactive ion-beam factory of the RIKEN Nishina Center. The produced fragments were analyzed and unambiguously identified using the BigRIPS two-stage in-flight separator. The eight new neutron-rich nuclei discovered, ^{47}P, ^{49}S, ^{52}Cl, ^{54}Ar, ^{57}K, ^{59,60}Ca, and ^{62}Sc, are the most neutron-rich isotopes of the respective elements. In addition, one event consistent with ^{59}K was registered. The results are compared with the drip lines predicted by a variety of mass models and it is found that the models in best agreement with the observed limits of existence in the explored region tend to predict the even-mass Ca isotopes to be bound out to at least ^{70}Ca.

The (^{12}N, ^{12}C) charge-exchange reaction at 175 MeV/u was developed as a novel probe for studying the isovector spin giant monopole resonance (IVSMR), whose properties are important for better understanding the bulk properties of nuclei and asymmetric nuclear matter. This probe, now available through the production of ^{12}N as a secondary rare-isotope beam, is exothermic, is strongly absorbed at the surface of the target nucleus, and provides selectivity for spin-transfer excitations. All three properties enhance the excitation of the IVSMR compared to other, primarily light-ion, probes, which have been used to study the IVSMR thus far. The ^{90}Zr(^{12}N,^{12}C) reaction was measured and the excitation energy spectra up to about 70 MeV for both the spin-transfer and non-spin-transfer channels were deduced separately by tagging the decay by γ emission from the ^{12}C ejectile. Besides the well-known Gamow-Teller and isobaric analog transitions, a clear signature of the IVSMR was identified. By comparing with the results from light-ion reactions on the same target nucleus and theoretical predictions, the suitability of this new probe for studying the IVSMR was confirmed.

Half-lives and energies of $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays emitted in the decay of isomeric states of nuclei in the vicinity of the doubly magic $^{100}\mathrm{Sn}$ were measured in a decay spectroscopy experiment at Rikagaku Kenkyusho (The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research) of Japan Nishina Center. The measured half-lives, some with improved precision, are consistent with literature values. Three new results include a 55-keV $E2\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ ray from a new $({4}^{+})$ isomer with ${T}_{1/2}=0.23(6)\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{s}$ in $^{92}\mathrm{Rh}$, a 44-keV $E2\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ ray from the $({15}^{+})$ isomer in $^{96}\mathrm{Ag}$, and ${T}_{1/2}({6}^{+})=13(2)$ ns in $^{98}\mathrm{Cd}$. Shell-model calculations of electromagnetic transition strengths in the $({p}_{1/2},{g}_{9/2})$ model space agree with the experimental results. In addition, experimental isomeric ratios were compared to the theoretical predictions derived with an abrasion-ablation model and the sharp cutoff model. The results agreed within a factor of 2 for most isomers. From the nonobservation of time-delayed $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays in $^{100}\mathrm{Sn}$, new constraints on the ${T}_{1/2}$, $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray energy, and internal conversion coefficients are proposed for the hypothetical isomer in $^{100}\mathrm{Sn}$.

Excited states have been studied in \iso{159}{Sm}, \iso{161}{Sm}, \iso{162}{Sm} (Z~=~62), \iso{163}{Eu} (Z~=~63), and \iso{164}{Gd} (Z~=~64), populated by isomeric decay following 238U projectile fission at RIBF, RIKEN. The isomer half-lives range from 50 ns to 2.6 \mus. In comparison with other published data, revised interpretations are proposed for \iso{159}{Sm} and \iso{163}{Eu}. The first data for excited states in \iso{161}{Sm} are presented, where a 2.6 \mus isomer is assigned a three-quasiparticle, K^\pi = 17/2^- structure. The interpretation is supported by multi-quasiparticle Nilsson-BCS calculations, including the blocking of pairing correlations. A consistent set of reduced E1 hindrance factors is obtained. Limited evidence is also reported for isomeric decay in 163Sm, 164Eu and 165Eu.

A search for new proton-rich isotopes using projectile fragmentation of a 345-MeV/nucleon 124Xe beam has been performed with the BigRIPS in-flight separator at the RIKEN Nishina Center RI Beam Factory. Projectile fragments were identified by measuring the time of flight, magnetic rigidity, and energy loss in the BigRIPS separator. Projectile fragments then were transported downstream of the BigRIPS separator and re-identified by measuring the time of flight and total kinetic energy. Through such particle re-identification, we have discovered four new isotopes 81,82Mo and 85,86Ru located near the proton drip line. The 76Y and 78Zr isotopes near the proton drip line also were identified, supporting the previous report on their discovery. Furthermore, we have obtained the first clear evidence for the particle instability of 103Sb. Based on the systematics of measured production yields, the upper limit values were evaluated for the half-lives of the particle-unbound isotopes 81Nb,85Tc, and 103Sb.

We study for the first time the internal structure of Te140 through the β-delayed γ-ray spectroscopy of Sb140. The very neutron-rich Sb140 nuclei with Z=51 and N=89 were produced by the in-flight fission of U238 beams at the Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory, RIKEN. The half-life and spin-parity of Sb140 are reported as 173±12 ms and 3−, respectively. In addition to the excited states of Te140 produced by the β-decay branch, the β-delayed one-neutron and two-neutron emission branches were also established. By identifying the first 2+ and 4+ excited states of Te140, we found that Te isotopes persist in their vibrator character with E(4+)/E(2+)=2. We discuss the distinctive features manifest in this region revealed in pairs of isotopes with the same neutron holes and particles with respect to N=82.

Very neutron-rich $Z\ensuremath{\sim}60$ isotopes produced by in-flight fission of a 345 MeV/nucleon $^{238}\mathrm{U}$ beam at the RI Beam Factory, RIKEN Nishina Center, have been studied by delayed $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray spectroscopy. New isomers were discovered in the neutron-rich $N=100$ isotones $^{162}\mathrm{Sm}, ^{163}\mathrm{Eu}$, and $^{164}\mathrm{Gd}$. Half-lives, $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray energies, and relative intensities of these isomers were obtained. Level schemes were proposed for these nuclei and the first ${2}^{+}$ and ${4}^{+}$ states were assigned for the even-even nuclei. The first ${2}^{+}$ and ${4}^{+}$ state energies decrease as the proton numbers get smaller. The energies and the half-lives of the new isomers are very similar to those of ${4}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ isomers known in less neutron-rich $N=100$ isotones $^{168}\mathrm{Er}$ and $^{170}\mathrm{Yb}$. A deformed Hartree-Fock with angular momentum projection model suggests ${K}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}={4}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ two-quasiparticle states with $\ensuremath{\nu}7/2[633]\ensuremath{\bigotimes}\ensuremath{\nu}1/2[521]$ configurations with similar excitation energy. The results suggest that neutron-rich $N=100$ nuclei are well deformed and the deformation gets larger as $Z$ decreases to 62. The onset of $K$ isomers with the same configuration at almost the same energy in $N=100$ isotones indicates that the neutron single-particle structures of neutron-rich isotones down to $Z=62$ do not change significantly from those of the $Z=70$ stable nuclei. Systematics of the excitation energies of new isomers can be explained without the predicted $N=100$ shell gap.

The neutron-rich nuclei $^{158,160}\mathrm{Nd}$ have been studied via delayed $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray spectroscopy of $\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{s}$ isomeric states at the RIBF facility, RIKEN. These nuclei were produced following the projectile fission of a 345 $A\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{MeV}\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}^{238}\mathrm{U}$ beam and delayed $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays were detected by the EURICA cluster Ge array. The isomeric states have measured half-lives of 339(20) ns and 1.63(21) $\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{s}$ for $^{158}\mathrm{Nd}$ and $^{160}\mathrm{Nd}$, respectively. From the observed $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ decays and the systematics of levels in the neighboring Nd isotopes first level schemes were constructed for these nuclei. The isomeric states of $^{158,160}\mathrm{Nd}$ have been assigned spins of $({6}^{\ensuremath{-}})$ and $({4}^{\ensuremath{-}})$, with proposed $\ensuremath{\nu}5/2[523]\ensuremath{\bigotimes}\ensuremath{\nu}7/2[633]$ and $\ensuremath{\nu}1/2[521]\ensuremath{\bigotimes}\ensuremath{\nu}7/2[633]$ configurations, respectively.

In an experiment with the BigRIPS separator at the RIKEN Nishina Center, we observed two-proton (2p) emission from 67Kr. At the same time, no evidence for 2p emission of 59Ge and 63Se, two other potential candidates for this exotic radioactivity, could be observed. This observation is in line with Q value predictions which pointed to 67Kr as being the best new candidate among the three for two-proton radioactivity. 67Kr is only the fourth 2p ground-state emitter to be observed with a half-life of the order of a few milliseconds. The decay energy was determined to be 1690(17) keV, the 2p emission branching ratio is 37(14)%, and the half-life of 67Kr is 7.4(30) ms.

This work was supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion under contract FPA2011-29854-C04 and the Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad under Contract No. FPA2014-57196-C5- 4-P, the Generalitat Valenciana (Spain) under Grant No. PROMETEO/2010/101, the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MEST) (NRF-2014S1A2A2028636, 2016K1A3A7A09005579), the Priority Centers Research Program in Korea (2009-0093817), OTKA Contract No. K-100835, JSPS KAKENHI (Grant No. 25247045), the European Commission through the Marie Curie Actions call FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IEF under Contract No. 300096, the US Department of Energy, Office of Nuclear Physics, under Contract No. DE-AC02-06CH11357, the STFC (UK), the “RIKEN foreign research program,” the German BMBF (No. 05P12RDCIA, No. 05P12RDNUP, and No. 05P12PKFNE), HIC for FAIR, the DFG cluster of excellence “Origin and Structure of the Universe,” and DFG (Contract No. KR2326/2-1)

For the first time, the γ decay of excited states has been observed in a nucleus situated in the quadrant south-east of doubly magic Sn132, a region in which experimental information so far is limited to ground-state properties. Six γ rays with energies of 50, 86, 103, 227, 357, and 602 keV were observed following the β-delayed neutron emission from Cd85133, populated in the projectile fission of a U238 beam at the Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory at RIKEN within the EURICA project. The new experimental information is compared to the results of a modern realistic shell-model calculation, the first one in this region very far from stability, focusing in particular on the π0g9/2-1 - ν1f7/2 particle-hole multiplet in In83132. In addition, theoretical estimates based on a scaling of the two-body matrix elements for the πh11/2-1 - νg9/2 analog multiplet in Tl127208, one major proton and one major neutron shell above, are presented. © 2016 American Physical Society.

A candidate resonant tetraneutron state is found in the missing-mass spectrum obtained in the double-charge-exchange reaction ^{4}He(^{8}He,^{8}Be) at 186 MeV/u. The energy of the state is 0.83±0.65(stat)±1.25(syst) MeV above the threshold of four-neutron decay with a significance level of 4.9σ. Utilizing the large positive Q value of the (^{8}He,^{8}Be) reaction, an almost recoilless condition of the four-neutron system was achieved so as to obtain a weakly interacting four-neutron system efficiently.

The $\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay half-lives of 110 neutron-rich isotopes of the elements from $_{37}\mathrm{Rb}$ to $_{50}\mathrm{Sn}$ were measured at the Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory. The 40 new half-lives follow robust systematics and highlight the persistence of shell effects. The new data have direct implications for $r$-process calculations and reinforce the notion that the second ($A\ensuremath{\approx}130$) and the rare-earth-element ($A\ensuremath{\approx}160$) abundance peaks may result from the freeze-out of an $(n,\ensuremath{\gamma})\ensuremath{\rightleftarrows}(\ensuremath{\gamma},n)$ equilibrium. In such an equilibrium, the new half-lives are important factors determining the abundance of rare-earth elements, and allow for a more reliable discussion of the $r$ process universality. It is anticipated that universality may not extend to the elements Sn, Sb, I, and Cs, making the detection of these elements in metal-poor stars of the utmost importance to determine the exact conditions of individual $r$-process events.

Precise reaction cross sections (${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{R}$) for $^{24\ensuremath{-}38}\mathrm{Mg}$ on C targets at energies around 240 MeV/nucleon have been measured at the Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory at RIKEN. The ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{R}$ for $^{36\ensuremath{-}38}\mathrm{Mg}$ have been measured for the first time. An enhancement of ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{R}$ compared to the systematics for spherical stable nuclei has been observed, especially in the neutron-rich region, which reflects the deformation of those isotopes. In the vicinity of the drip line the ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{R}$ for $^{37}\mathrm{Mg}$ is especially large. It is shown by analysis using a recently developed theoretical method that this prominent enhancement of ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{R}$ for $^{37}\mathrm{Mg}$ should come from the $p$-orbital halo formation breaking the $N=28$ shell gap.

Excited states in the N=102 isotones 166Gd and 164Sm have been observed following isomeric decay for the first time at RIBF, RIKEN. The half-lives of the isomeric states have been measured to be 950(60) and 600(140) ns for 166Gd and 164Sm, respectively. Based on the decay patterns and potential energy surface calculations, including β6 deformation, a spin and parity of 6- has been assigned to the isomeric states in both nuclei. Collective observables are discussed in light of the systematics of the region, giving insight into nuclear shape evolution. The decrease in the ground-band energies of 166Gd and 164Sm (N=102) compared to 164Gd and 162Sm (N=100), respectively, presents evidence for the predicted deformed shell closure at N=100.

Delayed γ-ray cascades, originating from the decay of (6⁺) isomeric states, in the very neutron-rich, semimagic isotopes (136,138)Sn have been observed following the projectile fission of a ²³⁸U beam at RIBF, RIKEN. The wave functions of these isomeric states are proposed to be predominantly a fully aligned pair of f(7/2) neutrons. Shell-model calculations, performed using a realistic effective interaction, reproduce well the energies of the excited states of these nuclei and the measured transition rates, with the exception of the B(E2;6⁺→4⁺) rate of ¹³⁶Sn, which deviates from a simple seniority scheme. Empirically reducing the νf(7/2)(2) orbit matrix elements produces a 4₁⁺ state with almost equal seniority 2 and 4 components, correctly reproducing the experimental B(E2;6⁺→4⁺) rate of ¹³⁶Sn. These data provide a key benchmark for shell-model interactions far from stability.

The hyperfine splittings of ground state Be+11 have been measured precisely by laser-microwave double resonance spectroscopy for trapped and laser cooled beryllium ions. The ions were produced at relativistic energies and subsequently slowed down and trapped at mK temperatures. The magnetic hyperfine structure constant of Be+11 was determined to be A11=-2677.302 988(72) MHz from the measurements of the mF-mF'=0-0 field independent transition. This measurement provides essential data for the study of the distribution of the halo neutron in the single neutron halo nucleus Be11 through the Bohr-Weisskopf effect.

5 pags. ; 3 figs. ; PACS numbers: 23.40.-s, 21.10.Pc, 27.60.+j, 21.60.Cs ; Taprogge, J., et al.

The extremely neutron-rich nucleus ${}^{19}\mathrm{C}$ has been studied by Coulomb dissociation into ${}^{18}\mathrm{C}+n$ at $67A\mathrm{MeV}$. A large $E1$ strength of $0.71\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.07{e}^{2}\mathrm{fm}{}^{2}$ has been observed at low excitation energies. An analysis of the angular distribution of ${}^{18}\mathrm{C}+n$ center of mass has led to a determination of the neutron separation energy of ${}^{19}\mathrm{C}$ to be $530\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}130\mathrm{keV}$. The $E1$ strength distribution can be well reproduced for a ${}^{19}\mathrm{C}$ ground state structure with a dominant $s$-wave valence neutron, providing a consistent picture of the neutron halo structure of ${}^{19}\mathrm{C}$.

The level structures of the very neutron-rich nuclei $^{128}\mathrm{Pd}$ and $^{126}\mathrm{Pd}$ have been investigated for the first time. In the $r$-process waiting-point nucleus $^{128}\mathrm{Pd}$, a new isomer with a half-life of $5.8(8)\text{ }\text{ }\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{s}$ is proposed to have a spin and parity of ${8}^{+}$ and is associated with a maximally aligned configuration arising from the ${g}_{9/2}$ proton subshell with seniority $\ensuremath{\upsilon}=2$. For $^{126}\mathrm{Pd}$, two new isomers have been identified with half-lives of 0.33(4) and $0.44(3)\text{ }\text{ }\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{s}$. The yrast ${2}^{+}$ energy is much higher in $^{128}\mathrm{Pd}$ than in $^{126}\mathrm{Pd}$, while the level sequence below the ${8}^{+}$ isomer in $^{128}\mathrm{Pd}$ is similar to that in the $N=82$ isotone $^{130}\mathrm{Cd}$. The electric quadrupole transition that depopulates the ${8}^{+}$ isomer in $^{128}\mathrm{Pd}$ is more hindered than the corresponding transition in $^{130}\mathrm{Cd}$, as expected in the seniority scheme for a semimagic, spherical nucleus. These experimental findings indicate that the shell closure at the neutron number $N=82$ is fairly robust in the neutron-rich Pd isotopes.

${}^{116}\mathrm{Ru}$ and ${}^{118}\mathrm{Ru}$ have been studied via $\ensuremath{\beta}$-delayed $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray spectroscopy of nuclei produced in fragmentation reactions at the Radioactive Ion-Beam Factory (RIBF) facility. Level schemes with positive-parity states up to spin $J=6$ have been constructed. The results have been discussed in terms of the interacting boson model, the algebraic collective model, and total Routhian surfaces. We conclude that the very neutron-rich nuclei still show many features associated with triaxial $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-soft nuclei, represented by the O(6) symmetry, but are approaching a spherical structure, the U(5) symmetry, with increasing neutron number towards the $N=82$ shell closure. In ${}^{118}\text{Ru}$, hints of a shape transition in the ground state have been observed.

The cross section for Coulomb dissociation of $^{8}\mathrm{B}$---the $^{208}\mathrm{Pb}(^{8}\mathrm{B}^{7}\mathrm{Be}p)^{208}\mathrm{Pb}$ reaction---was measured using a $^{8}\mathrm{B}$ radioactive beam of 46.5 MeV/nucleon energy, and the cross section for the $^{7}\mathrm{Be}(p,\ensuremath{\gamma})^{8}\mathrm{B}$ capture reaction was deduced at low energies; ${E}_{\mathrm{c}.\mathrm{m}.}=0.6\ensuremath{-}1.7$ MeV. The extracted astrophysical ${S}_{17}$ factors were found to be consistent with the values measured by Vaughn et al. and Filippone et al. This result encourages further experimental studies extended to lower relative energies for a new determination of the ${S}_{17}$ value relevant to the $^{8}\mathrm{B}$ solar neutrino flux.

The results of measurements of the production of neutron-rich nuclei by the fragmentation of a {sup 76}Ge beam are presented. The cross sections were measured for a large range of nuclei including 15 new isotopes that are the most neutron-rich nuclides of the elements chlorine to manganese ({sup 50}Cl, {sup 53}Ar, {sup 55,56}K, {sup 57,58}Ca, {sup 59,60,61}Sc, {sup 62,63}Ti, {sup 65,66}V, {sup 68}Cr, {sup 70}Mn). The enhanced cross sections of several new nuclei relative to a simple thermal evaporation framework, previously shown to describe similar production cross sections, indicates that nuclei in the region around {sup 62}Ti might be more stable than predicted by current mass models and could be an indication of a new island of inversion similar to that centered on {sup 31}Na.

The ground state hyperfine splitting of $^{7}\mathrm{Be}^{+}$ has been measured by laser-microwave double-resonance spectroscopy in the online rf trap of RIKEN's slow RI-beam facility. Be ions produced by projectile fragmentation of $^{13}\mathrm{C}$ at $\ensuremath{\approx}1\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{GeV}$ were thermalized in a rf ion guide gas cell and subsequently laser cooled in the ion trap to $\ensuremath{\approx}1\text{ }\text{ }\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{eV}$. This ${10}^{15}$-fold reduction of the kinetic energy allows precision spectroscopy of these ions. A magnetic hfs constant of $A=\ensuremath{-}742.772\text{ }28(43)\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{MHz}$ was measured for $^{7}\mathrm{Be}^{+}$, from which a nuclear magnetic moment of ${\ensuremath{\mu}}_{I}=\ensuremath{-}1.399\text{ }28(2){\ensuremath{\mu}}_{N}$ was deduced.

The mass of the nucleus $^{11}\mathrm{Li}$ has been determined from a measurement of the $Q$ value of the reaction $^{14}\mathrm{C}$($^{11}\mathrm{B}$,$^{11}\mathrm{Li}$)$^{14}\mathrm{O}$ at $\frac{E}{A}\ensuremath{\approx}32$ MeV. The results, which indicate a two-neutron separation energy of ${S}_{2n}(^{11}\mathrm{Li})=295\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}35$ keV, put this basic quantity on a firm basis for use in theoretical models of the halo nucleus $^{11}\mathrm{Li}$.

Differential cross sections have been measured near 0{degree} for the dominant channels in the mirror reaction {sup 13}C({sup 13}N,{sup 13}C){sup 13}N at {ital E}/{ital A}=57 and 105 MeV. The cross sections of the peaks in the excitation spectrum are discussed in terms of Gamow-Teller and Fermi transition strength. The cross section per unit Gamow-Teller strength is found to be enhanced relative to that for unit Fermi strength when compared with previous results from ({ital p},{ital n}) reactions. The present work represents the first use of a mirror-symmetric projectile and target system in a charge-exchange reaction as well as the first application of the developing radioactive nuclear beam field to this area. {copyright} {ital 1995 The American Physical Society.}