Reduction in Nuclear Size and Quadrupole Deformation of High-Spin Isomers of 127,129 In
We employed laser spectroscopy of atomic transitions to measure the nuclear charge radii and electromagnetic properties of the high-spin isomeric states in neutron-rich indium isotopes (𝑍 =49) near the closed proton and neutron shells at 𝑍 = 50 and 𝑁 = 82. Our data reveal a reduction in the nuclear charge radius and intrinsic quadrupole moment when protons and neutrons are fully aligned in 129 In (𝑁 = 80), to form the high spin isomer. Such a reduction is not observed in 127 In (𝑁 = 78), where more complex configurations can be formed by the existence of four neutron holes. These observations are not consistently described by nuclear theory.