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6 pages; International audience; Isomeric states in 253No have been investigated by conversion-electron and gamma-ray spectroscopy with the GABRIELA detection system. The 31 micro second isomer reported more than 30 years ago is found to decay to the ground state of 253No by the emission of a 167 keV M2 transition. The spin and parity of this low-lying isomeric state are established to be 5/2+. The presence of another longer-lived isomeric state is also discussed.

Photoneutron cross sections were measured for ${}^{94}$Mo, ${}^{95}$Mo, ${}^{96}$Mo, ${}^{97}$Mo, ${}^{98}$Mo, and ${}^{100}$Mo near the neutron threshold with quasi-monochromatic laser-Compton scattering $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays. The photoneutron data were analyzed with the Skyrme Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (HFB) plus quasiparticle random phase approximation (QRPA) model and the axially symmetric-deformed Gogny HFB plus QRPA model of $E1$ $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray strength. Combining the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray strength function constrained by the present photoneutron data with either the nuclear resonance fluorescence data or the updated Oslo data to supplement the data below the neutron threshold, a thorough analysis of the reverse $(n,\ensuremath{\gamma})$ cross sections is made whenever measurements are available. The Oslo data and the corresponding uncertainties are updated based on the latest results of the $s$-wave neutron spacing and the average radiative width determined in particular for ${}^{96}$Mo. Finally, radiative neutron capture cross sections for two radioactive nuclei, ${}^{93}$Mo and ${}^{99}$Mo, are deduced with the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray strength function method.

The level densities and $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray strength functions of ${}^{105,106,111,112}$Cd have been extracted from particle-$\ensuremath{\gamma}$ coincidence data using the Oslo method. The level densities are in very good agreement with known levels at low excitation energy. The $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray strength functions display no strong enhancement for low $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ energies. However, more low-energy strength is apparent for ${}^{105,106}$Cd than for ${}^{111,112}$Cd. For $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ energies above $\ensuremath{\approx}$4 MeV, there is evidence for some extra strength, similar to what has been previously observed for the Sn isotopes. The origin of this extra strength is unclear; it might be due to $E1$ and $M1$ transitions originating from neutron skin oscillations or the spin-flip resonance, respectively.

Primary γ-ray spectra for a wide excitation-energy range have been extracted for 44Ti from particle-γ coincidence data of the 46Ti(p,tγ)44Ti reaction. These spectra reveal information on the γ-decay pattern of the nucleus and may be used to extract the level density and radiative strength function applying the Oslo method. Models of the level density and radiative strength function are used as input for cross-section calculations of the 40Ca(α,γ)44Ti reaction. Acceptable models should reproduce data on the 40Ca(α,γ)44Ti reaction cross section as well as the measured primary γ-ray spectra. This is only achieved when a coherent normalization of the slope of the level density and radiative strength function is performed. Thus, the overall shape of the experimental primary γ-ray spectra puts a constraint on the input models for the rate calculations. © 2012 American Physical Society.

A low-energy enhancement of the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray strength function in several light and medium-mass nuclei has been observed recently in $^{3}\mathrm{He}$-induced reactions. The effect of this enhancement on $(n,\ensuremath{\gamma}$) cross sections is investigated for stable and unstable neutron-rich Fe, Mo, and Cd isotopes. Our results indicate that the radiative neutron capture cross sections may increase considerably due to the low-energy enhancement when approaching the neutron drip line. This could have non-negligible consequences on r-process nucleosynthesis calculations.

An isomeric state in {sup 255}Lr with a half-life of t{sub 1/2} = 1.4(1) ms and E{sub x}>720-keV has been observed for the first time using the GABRIELA setup at the focal plane of the VASSILISSA separator. Based on its K-forbiddeness, the configuration of the state is most probably formed by coupling the valence proton to a two quasiparticle neutron excitation. Possible three quasiparticle configurations are discussed.

Excited states in {sup 249}Fm were populated via the {alpha} decay of {sup 253}No and the subsequent decay was observed with the GABRIELA detection system installed at the focal plane of the VASSILISSA recoil separator. The energies, spins, and parities of these states could be established through combined {alpha},{gamma}, and conversion-electron spectroscopy. The first members of the ground-state rotational band were identified. Their excitation energies as well as the observation of a cross-over E2 transition confirm the assignment of 7/2{sup +}624 for the ground state of {sup 249}Fm. Two excited states were also observed and their decay properties suggest that they correspond to the particle excitation 9/2{sup -}734 and hole excitation 5/2{sup +}622. The analysis suggests that the 279-keV transition de-exciting the 9/2{sup -} state has anomalous E1 conversion coefficients.

Level densities for $^{93\ensuremath{-}98}\mathrm{Mo}$ have been extracted using the ($^{3}\mathrm{He}$,$\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{\gamma}$) and ($^{3}\mathrm{He}$,$^{3}\mathrm{He}$${}^{'}\ensuremath{\gamma}$) reactions. From the level densities thermodynamical quantities such as temperature and heat capacity can be deduced. Data have been analyzed by utilizing both the microcanonical and the canonical ensemble. Structures in the microcanonical temperature are consistent with the breaking of nucleon Cooper pairs. The $\mathsf{S}$ shape of the heat capacity curves found within the canonical ensemble is interpreted as consistent with a pairing phase transition with a critical temperature for the quenching of pairing correlations at ${T}_{c}~0.7\ensuremath{-}1.0$MeV.