High-precision excited state lifetime measurements in rare earth nuclei using LaBr3(Ce) detectors

To study how collective nuclear structure evolves towards mid-shell and test next-generation LaBr3(Ce) scintillation detectors, measurements of the lifetimes of 21+ states in 168Hf and 174W were conducted at the Wright Nuclear Structure Laboratory. Preliminary results indicate that the excellent time and energy resolution of LaBr3 detectors make them well suited to fast timing measurements, allowing for improved background subtraction and peak resolution in comparison to BaF2 detectors. Preliminary analysis shows an order of magnitude reduction in the statistical error of the 2+ lifetimes in comparison to literature values for both nuclei. In the case of 174W, a substantial reduction of the observed lifetime hints at the possibility of new physics in the region.