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Nuclear Data Sheets for A=98

Experimental spectroscopic data on nuclear structure and decay are evaluated for known nuclides of mass 98 (Br, Kr, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Tc, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Cd, In). Detailed evaluation results of individual reactions and decays are presented together with the Adopted values that are recommended for level properties, γ and β radiations, and other spectroscopic information. 98 Mo remains as the most extensively studied nuclide via various reactions and decays. Level schemes of Sr, Y, Zr, Tc, and Pd nuclides in this mass chain are also well established to date; while Kr, Rb, Nb, Ag and Cd are amongst the least-studied ones for excited states, with only limited data available for each. On the neutron-rich side, 98 Br has been identified in the 9 Be(238U,F) reaction, but no spectroscopic data are yet available, while for 98 In on the proton-rich side, only the ground state and an isomer are known with half-lives measured but their spin-parities and the absolute level energy of the isomer yet to be determined. While 98 Ru and 98 Rh have also been extensively studied, large discrepancies exist between the high-spin sections of the proposed level schemes in different measurements, and these need to be clarified and resolved with further experimental investigations to improve the currently-adopted ones, which have been selected from the measurements with higher statistics, considering no other criteria of preference. Furthermore, this work supersedes all the earlier evaluations of A=98 (2003Si07, 1998Si18, 1992Si21, 1983Mu21, 1974Me34).

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

First spectroscopic study of odd-odd Cu 78

Nuclei in the vicinity of 78 Ni are important benchmarks for nuclear structure, which can reveal changes in the shell structure far from stability. Spectroscopy of the odd-odd isotope 78 CU was performed for the first time in an experiment with the EURICA setup at the Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory at RIKEN Nishina Center. Excited states in the neutron-rich isotope were populated following the β decay of 78 Ni produced by in-flight fission and separated by the BigRIPS separator. A level scheme based on the analysis of $\gamma$-$\gamma$ coincidences is presented. Tentative spin and parity assignments were made when possible based on the β -decay feeding intensities and $\gamma$-decay properties of the excited states. Time correlations between β and $\gamma$ decay show clear indications of an isomeric state with a half-life of 3.8(4) ms. Large-scale Monte Carlo shell-model calculations were performed using the A3DA-m interaction and a valence space comprising the full f p shell and the 1⁢g 9/2 and 2⁢d 5/2 orbitals for both protons and neutrons. The comparison of the experimental results with the shell-model calculations allows interpreting the excited states in terms of spin multiplets arising from the proton-neutron interaction. In conclusion, the results provide further insight into the evolution of the proton single-particle orbitals as a function of neutron number, and quantitative information about the proton-neutron interaction outside the doubly magic 78 Ni core.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Chiral spin symmetry and the QCD phase diagram

Lattice QCD simulations with chirally symmetric quarks have recently established approximate SU(2) CS and SU(2N F ) symmetries of the quantum effective action in a temperature range above the chiral crossover T ch , in which color-electric interactions between quarks dominate the dynamics. We show that such an intermediate temperature range between the chirally broken and plasma regimes is fully consistent with published screening mass spectra, which demonstrate the breakdown of thermal perturbation theory at the crossover between the partonic and the chiral spin symmetric regime at T s ~(2–3)T ch . From the known behavior of screening masses with baryon chemical potential, we deduce qualitatively how this chiral spin symmetric band extends into the QCD phase diagram. In the cold and dense region, we propose parity doubled baryons as possible candidates for chiral spin symmetric matter. This represents a special case of quarkyonic matter with confinement and restored chiral symmetry, and can smoothly transform to quark matter at sufficiently high densities. Finally, we discuss the potential of dilepton spectra to identify such matter forms.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Spectroscopy of states in 136 Ba using the 138 Ba(p,t) reaction

Background: The 136 Ba isotope is the daughter nucleus in 136 Xe $ββ$ decay. It also lies in a shape transitional region of the nuclear chart, making it a suitable candidate to test a variety of nuclear models. Purpose: To obtain spectroscopic information on states in 136 Ba, which will allow a better understanding of its low-lying structure. These data may prove useful to constrain future 136 Xe → 136 Ba neutrinoless $ββ$ decay matrix element calculations. Methods: Here, a 138 Ba(p, t) reaction was used to populate states in 136 Ba up to approximately 4.6 MeV in excitation energy. The tritons were detected using a high-resolution Q3D magnetic spectrograph. A distorted wave Born approximation analysis was performed for the measured triton angular distributions. Results: 102 excited states in 136 Ba were observed, out of which 52 are reported for the first time. Definite spin-parity assignments are made for 26 newly observed states, while previously ambiguous assignments for ten other states are resolved. Together with other available data, the results are used to determine level densities in 136 Ba. These were compared with theory predictions, obtained using shell model calculations with Hamiltonians previously used for 136 Xe neutrinoless $ββ$ decay matrix element evaluations. Conclusions: The shell model predicted level densities agree reasonably well for the two Hamiltonians. However the results for theory and experiment are found to agree only at lower energies, diverging from one another for the higher lying states, with the discrepancy increasing with energy. This is presumably because of lower production cross sections for a majority of the higher-lying predicted states and the experimental limitations in resolving a large number of nearly degenerate states predicted by the theory.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Shell structure in 32P

The nuclear structure of 32P was investigated by detecting multi-γ coincidences along with charged light ions following the bombardment of an 18O target with a 30-MeV 16O beam from the Florida State University accelerator facility using the Clarion2-Trinity array of Clover γ spectrometers and GAGG (Gd-Al-Ga-garnet) scintillators for charged particles. A number of new states up to 12 MeV excitation and spins up to 9+ were observed by their γ decay patterns. Spins and parities were assigned by comparing measured γ angular distributions with polarizations inferred from Compton-scattering asymmetries between the Ge crystals in the Clover spectrometers. The new level scheme of 32P compares well with shell model calculations using the FSU cross-shell interaction and reasonably well with those using the sdpf-m interaction. In particular, structures with higher spin arise from promotion of more nucleons up to the f-p shell.

Allmond, James [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000165338721)↗

Compton Polarimetry for Neutral Weak Form Factor Measurements in 208Pb and 48Ca

Atomic nuclei contain a number of protons and neutrons. Most heavy nuclei contain more neutrons than protons in order to remain stable. The nuclear proton distribution can be measured via elastic scattering of charged particles, but the neutron distribution remains poorly constrained. Nuclear structure theory also predicts a "neutron skin" ?Rnp where the mean radii of neutrons in the nucleus exceeds that of protons. Two experiments were run in 2019 and 2020 to measure the neutron skin in two different nuclei. The first experiment, PREX-II, was designed to measure the neutron skin in 208Pb, while the second experiment, CREX, was designed to measure the neutron skin in 48Ca. Both experiments employed the parity-violating electron scattering (PVES) technique in which longitudinally spin-polarized electrons are scattered off an unpolarized target.

Zec, Allison↗

Nuclear Data Sheets for A=123

Experimental nuclear structure and decay data are evaluated for all of 15 known nuclides of mass 123 (Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Cd, In, Sn, Sb, Te, I, Xe, Cs, Ba, La, Ce). For each nuclide, detailed evaluated spectroscopic information is presented in each reaction and decay, and the best values combining all available data are recommended for level properties, γ and β radiations, and other spectroscopic properties. No excited states have been identified in 123 Ru, 123 Rh and 123 Pd. For 123 Ag, the long-predicted 1/2 – β-emitting isomer has been identified at 60-keV by 2019Ch24 recently, resolving unknown excitation energies in the level scheme that was previously available only from isomeric decays of two isomers (202 ns and 393 ns) with the position and spin-parity of the former remaining unknown. Significant discrepancies exist between data on high-spin sequences based on 11/2 (–) isomer in 123 Cd (2002Hw01 and 2016Re05), which needs to be resolved with further experimental investigation. In 123 Cs, the 114-ns isomer as the πg 9/2 bandhead proposed at 231.6+x by 2000Gi12 has been resolved by 2004Si26 and 2004Si27 to be the 328-keV level that is proposed by 2000Gi12 as a separate level. Excited states in 123 La and 123 Ce have only been studied via (HI, xnγ) reactions, with their base levels and thus excitation energies remaining unknown. The β– decay schemes for daughter nuclide 123 Cd, 123 In and 123 Sn and the ε decay schemes for 123 Xe, 123 Cs and 123 Ba are considered incomplete due to large gaps between the highest observed excited levels and the Q-values. 123 Sn, 123 Sb, 123 Te and 123 I are the most extensively studied nuclides via various reactions and decays. Furthermore, this work supersedes earlier full evaluations of A=123 by 2004Oh11, 1993Oh12, 1980Ta02 and 1972Au10.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Experimental study of the Si 30 ( He 3 , d ) P 31 reaction and thermonuclear reaction rate of Si 30 ( p , γ ) P 31

Background: Abundance anomalies in some globular clusters, such as the enhancement of potassium and the depletion of magnesium, can be explained in terms of an earlier generation of stars polluting the presently observed ones. It was shown that the potential range of temperatures and densities of the polluting sites depends on the strength of a few critical reaction rates. The 30 Si(p,γ) 31 P reaction has been identified as one of these important reactions. Purpose: The key ingredient for evaluating the thermonuclear 30 Si(p,γ) 31 P reaction rate is the strength of the resonances which, at low energy, are proportional to their proton width. Therefore, the goal of this work is to determine the proton widths of unbound 31 P states. Method: States in 31 P were studied at the Maier-Leibnitz-Laboratorium using the one-proton 30 Si( 3 He,d) 31 P transfer reaction. Deuterons were detected with the high resolution one quadrupole three dipoles (Q3D) magnetic spectrometer. Angular distribution and spectroscopic factors were extracted for 27 states, and proton widths and resonance strengths were calculated for the unbound states. Results: Several 31 P unbound states have been observed for the first time in a one-proton transfer reaction. Above 20 MK, the 30 Si(p,γ) 31 P reaction rate is now entirely estimated from the observed properties of 31 P states. The reaction rate uncertainty from all resonances other than the E$^{c.m.}_{r}$ = 149 keV resonance has been reduced down to less than a factor of 2 above that temperature. The unknown spin and parity of the E$^{c.m.}_{r}$ = 149 keV resonance dominates the uncertainty in the rate in the relevant temperature range. Conclusion: Here, the remaining source of uncertainty on the 30 Si(p,γ) 31 P reaction rate comes from the unknown spin and parity of the E$^{c.m.}_{r}$ = 149 keV resonance which can change the reaction rate by a factor of 10 in the temperature range of interest.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Release of Evaluated 235 U(n,f) Average Prompt Fission Neutron Multiplicities Including the CGMF Model

This report documents an evaluation of the average prompt fission neutron multiplicity, $\overline{v}_p$, of 235 U from 200 keV to 15 MeV that is a potential release candidate for the upcoming U.S. nuclear data library, ENDF/B-VIII.1. This evaluation had to be re-done from "scratch", as the input to the $\overline{v}_p$ evaluation of the previous library, ENDF/B-VIII.0, was lost. That means that all available experimental data were re-analyzed and uncertainties were re-estimated. Another major difference to ENDF/B-VIII.0 is that this evaluation includes model information from the Hauser-Feshbach fission fragment decay code CGMF, while ENDF/B-VIII.0 is based purely on experimental data. CGMF links several fission quantities with each other; $\overline{v}_p$ is predicted by assumptions made on, e.g., pre-neutron emission yields as a function of mass, the total kinetic energy, or spin and parity of fission fragments. This allows to perform two types of validation for the new 235 U $\overline{v}_p$: On the one hand, one can employ evaluated CGMF parameters obtained from fitting to experimental 235 U $\overline{v}_p$ to predict yields as a function of mass, the average total kinetic energy, or the mean energy of the prompt fission neutron spectrum. These model-predicted values can then be compared to experimental and evaluated data. The model-predicted fission-observable values using evaluated parameters obtained here are reasonably close to experimental data indicating the evaluated 235 U(n,f) $\overline{v}_p$ are physical. On the other hand, one can validate 235 U $\overline{v}_p$ with respect to integral responses such as fast ICSBEP critical assemblies or LLNL pulsed spheres. LLNL pulsed-sphere neutron-leakage spectra are minimally impacted by the new 235 U $\overline{v}_p$ as these experimental data are shape data and the $\overline{v}_p$ would mostly lead to a change in normalization of the data as the spheres are relatively thin (0.7 and 1.5 mean-free path) and, thus, mostly depend on 235 U $\overline{v}_p$ from 12-15 MeV. The change in the predicted effective neutron multiplication factor, k eff , of selected ICSBEP critical assemblies, however, is large compared to values using ENDF/B-VIII.0 and experimental k eff : The average bias is 108 pcm across all studied k eff values versus 12 pcm for ENDF/B-VIII.0. A reasonable performance in simulating keff (mean bias of 14 pcm) can be retained by tweaking 235 U $\overline{v}_p$ from 3-5 MeV, and combining it with a recent 235 U PFNS evaluation that is also a ENDF/B-VIII.1 release candidate.

235U↗

Developing the S 32 ( p , d ) S * 31 ( p ) ( γ ) reaction to probe the P 30 ( p , γ ) S 31 reaction rate in classical novae

Background: The 30 P(p,γ) 31 S reaction rate is one of the largest remaining sources of uncertainty in the final abundances of nuclei created in a classical nova involving a ONe white dwarf. The reaction rate directly influences silicon isotopic ratios, which are used as identifiers of presolar grains with nova origins. Additionally, the uncertainty in the 30 P(p,γ) 31 S reaction rate has been found to limit the use of nova nuclear thermometers based on observations of elemental ratios in nova ejecta. Purpose: Reduce uncertainties in the nuclear data for proton-unbound states in 31 S, which act as resonances for the 30 P(p,γ) 31 S reaction at classical nova temperatures, and develop a technique for high efficiency, high-resolution reaction-decay coincidence measurements. Methods: Here, the 32 S(p,d) 31 S reaction was used to populate the states of interest in 31 S. The experiment was performed at the Texas A&M Cyclotron Institute using the LLNL Hyperion array for the detection of charged particles and γ rays. A downstream silicon telescope was used to select reaction deuterons, and a single upstream silicon detector was used to measure protons emitted in the decay of unbound 31 S levels. Results: Several states in 31 S above the proton separation energy were observed to have been populated. Decay protons from the resonant states in 31 S were identified as events in the upstream silicon detectors that came in coincidence with deuterons in the downstream telescope. Protons emitted from these states were measured and branching ratios extracted. Conclusions: While no new reaction rate is derived, spin-parity assignments for several higher-lying proton unbound states have been confirmed. Measured p 0 branching ratios for these levels have been compared to previous measurements with good agreement, and in some cases provided a reduction in uncertainty. The previously identified T = 3/2 state may have been incorrectly assigned a large p 0 branching ratio in a previous measurement. The technique of measuring reaction-decay coincidences with a particle-gamma setup appears promising.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

β decay of neutron-rich 76 Cu and the structure of 76 Zn

In this work, the β decay of 76 Cu to the levels of 76 Zn was studied at the Holifield Radioactive Ion Beam Facility (HRIBF) at Oak Ridge National Lab (ORNL). A purified 76 Cu beam was developed and data were recorded for the decay of the A=76 decay chain using four high-purity germanium (HPGe) clover detectors at the Low-energy Radioactive Ion Beam Spectroscopy Station (LeRIBSS). In this measurement, data on γ-ray emission following β decay, including βγ and γγ coincidences, were collected and γγ spectra were analyzed to identify the statistically significant coincidences. From this analysis, we propose a level scheme for 76 Zn which contains a total of 59 energy levels up to 6.0 MeV containing 105 γ rays. We have identified an additional 53 γ rays associated with this decay which could not be place in the decay scheme due to insufficient coincidence information or no energy match to identified levels. No γ rays from states in 75 Zn fed in the delayed-neutron branch were observed even though other γ rays in the A=75 decay chain were observed. Spin and parity assignments are proposed for some levels based on comparison to systematics and shell model calculations.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Decay spectroscopy of 160 Eu: Quasiparticle configurations of excited states and structure of K π = 4 + bandheads in 160 Gd

Background: Detailed spectroscopy of neutron-rich, heavy, deformed nuclei is of broad interest for nuclear astrophysics and nuclear structure. Nuclei in the r-process path and following freeze-out region impact the resulting r-process abundance distribution, and the structure of nuclei midshell in both proton and neutron number helps to understand the evolution of subshell gaps and large deformation in these nuclei. Purpose: We aim to improve the understanding of the nuclear structure of 160 Gd, specifically the K π = 4 + bands, as well as study the β decay of 160 Eu into 160 Gd. Methods: High-statistics decay spectroscopy of 160 Gd resulting from the β-decay of 160 Eu was collected using the GRIFFIN spectrometer at the TRIUMF-ISAC facility. Results: Two new excited states and ten new transitions were observed in 160 Gd. The β-decaying half-lives of the low- and high-spin isomers in 160 Eu were determined, and the low-spin state's half-life was measured to be t 1/2 = 26.0 (8) s, ≈ 16% shorter than previous measurements. Lifetimes of the two K π = 4 + bandheads in 160 Gd were measured for the first time, as well as γ – γ angular correlations and mixing ratios of intense transitions out of those bandheads. Conclusions: Lifetimes and mixing ratios suggest that the hexadecapole phonon model of the K π = 4 + bandheads in 160 Gd is preferred over a simple two-state strong mixing scenario, although further theoretical calculations are needed to fully understand these states. Additionally, the 1999.0-keV state in 160 Gd heavily populated in β decay is shown to have positive parity, which raises questions regarding the structure of the high-spin β-decaying state in 160 Eu.

150 ≤ A ≤ 189↗

Constraining neutrino-nucleon form factors with charged-current scattering at the Electron-Ion Collider

Next-generation neutrino oscillation experiments such as the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment require percent-level knowledge of neutrino-nucleon interaction cross sections. The nucleon axial form factor 𝐹 𝐴 ⁡(𝑄 2 ), parametrized by the axial mass 𝑀 𝐴 , is the dominant source of uncertainty in the quasielastic channel, and the parity-violating structure function 𝑥⁢𝐹 3 is poorly constrained on free nucleons. We propose using charged-current (CC) electron-proton scattering at the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) to address both problems simultaneously. The measurement exploits three key features of the EIC: (1) helicity-selective electron bunches provide in situ electromagnetic background rejection; (2) a longitudinally polarized proton target enables extraction of 𝐹 𝐴 ⁡(𝑄 2 ) through the target-spin asymmetry 𝐴 𝑈⁢𝐿 ; and (3) the 𝑦-distribution leverage in CC deep inelastic scattering (DIS) separates 𝐹 2 and 𝑥⁢𝐹 3 on a free proton, without nuclear corrections. Using a Fisher information analysis at $\sqrt{𝑠}$ =141 GeV with 500 fb −1 of integrated luminosity, we project the Cramér-Rao statistical floor of 𝛿⁢𝑀 𝐴 ≈0.03 GeV (3%). Incorporating first-order realistic detector effects, such as zero-degree calorimeter acceptance, 𝑄 2 smearing (5%), and background noise from helicity subtraction, the projected sensitivity is severely background-limited due to the small signal-to-background ratio (𝑆/𝐵 ≈ 3 ×10 −4 ) in the elastic channel. Achieving competitive sensitivity (𝛿⁢𝑀 𝐴 ≈ 0.14 GeV) would require ∼10 −7 background suppression, 3 orders of magnitude beyond current projections. The CC DIS 𝑦 distribution provides subpercent extraction of 𝑥⁢𝐹$^{𝑊^{−}}_{3}$ over 0.05 < 𝑥 < 0.5, representing the most robust electroweak measurement in the near term.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Level Structure of {sup 31}S Via {sup 32}S({ital p,d}) {sup 31}S

Background: Properties of proton-unbound S-31 states determine the P-30(p, gamma) S-31 reaction rate, which has a significant impact on explosive hydrogen burning in classical novae and type-I x-ray bursts. Despite several previous studies, uncertainties still remain with respect to the nuclear structure of S-31 near the proton threshold. Purpose: The level structure of S-31 has been presently investigated via a charged-particle spectroscopy experiment using the S-32(p, d) S-31 reaction. Method: Deuterons corresponding to S-31 excited states with 3.285 <= E-x <= 10.8 MeV were momentum analyzed via an Enge split-pole spectrograph at six laboratory angles between 10 degrees and 62 degrees. Differential cross sections of the S-32(p, d)S-31 reaction were measured at E-p = 34.5 MeV. Distorted-wave Born approximation calculations were performed to constrain the spin-parity assignments of several of the observed levels. Results: We have detected 72 excited states of S-31, out of which 17 are within the astrophysical region of interest corresponding to the temperature range of 0.1-1.5 GK. We have resolved the discrepancy in the spin and parity of an excited state with E-x = 6542 keV, showing that is it not J(pi) = 3/2(-), and therefore the contribution of this state to the P-30(p, gamma) reaction rate is likely much less significant than previously thought owing to the larger angular-momentum transfer required to populate this excited state. Moreover, our measurement results help consolidate the spin-parity assignments for the 6377 and 6636 keV states in S-31. Conclusions: This work presents the most comprehensive spin-parity assignments to date from a single-neutron transfer reaction on S-32 to S-31 excited states in the region between 6 to 7 MeV excitation energy. This region is significant for the determination of the P-30(p, gamma)S-30 reaction rate over the temperatures characteristic of explosive hydrogen burning in novae.

Setoodehnia, K.↗

Low spin spectroscopy of neutron-rich Cl 43 , 44 , 45 via β - and β n decay

In this article, β - decay studies of neutron-rich isotopes 43,45 S performed at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory are reported. β -delayed $\gamma$ transitions were detected by an array of 16 clover detectors surrounding the Beta Counting Station, which consists of a 40×40 double-sided silicon strip detector followed by a single-sided silicon strip detector. β -decay half-lives were extracted for 43,45 S by correlating implants and decays in the pixelated implant detector and by considering further coincidences with $\gamma$ transitions in the daughter nuclei. Further, the level structures of 43,45 Cl are expanded by the addition of 20 and 8 new $\gamma$ transitions in 43 Cl and 45 Cl respectively, and core-excited negative-parity states were observed in both nuclei for the first time. For 45 S, a large fraction of the β -decay strength was observed feeding neutron-unbound states in 45 Cl, which, decaying by delayed neutrons, populated excited states in the β ⁢1⁢ n daughter, 44 Cl. Experimental observations were compared to detailed shell-model calculations using the SDPFSDG-MU interaction to highlight the role of the diminished N = 28 neutron shell gap and the near degeneracy of the proton s 1/2 and d 3/2 orbitals in the structure of the neutron-rich Cl isotopes. The current work also provides further support to a ground-state spin-parity assignment of 3/2 + in 45 Cl.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Successive neutron alignments in the yrast, negative-parity band of oblate-deformed Tl 199

The negative-parity band structure built on the proton h 9/2 state in 199 Tl has been established up to an excitation energy of 7 MeV and spin of (51/2) ℏ. The level scheme has been extended with the inclusion of fourteen new transitions de-exciting levels at high spin. The ΔI = 1 γ rays are found to be more prominently visible in the spectra when comparing to Δ I = 2 transitions. Rotation alignments are evident at frequencies of 0.22 and 0.30 MeV with both being attributed to the breaking of pairs of neutrons in the i 13/2 subshell. Since 199 Tl is expected to have weak oblate deformation, and lies in a transitional region where competing contributions to the spin are expected from collective rotation and the angular momentum of high-j nucleons, calculations using both the principal axis cranking (PAC) and tilted axis cranking (TAC) formalisms have been performed to understand its structure. Both the PAC and TAC calculations are found to provide a satisfactory description of the evolution of excitation energies with spin. The PAC calculations give a good account of the experimental crossing frequencies and associated spins. Furthermore, the structure of the yrast, negative-parity band in 199 Tl may be primarily understood in terms of the collective rotation of a moderately deformed oblate nucleus, along with contributions to the angular momentum from two pairs of rotation-aligned i 13/2 neutrons.

190 ≤ A ≤ 219↗

Half-life measurement of the 199-keV isomeric state in Ga 76

Background: Isomeric states in atomic nuclei are a sensitive probe of their underlying microscopic structure and can be used to study the evolution of shell structure far from stability. Recent studies have identified and provided detailed spectroscopy of isomers in neutron-rich nuclei with Z = 28-50. Isomeric states in the odd-odd gallium isotopes have been reported for all gallium isotopes from A = 72 to A = 80 with the exception of 76 Ga. Purpose: The purpose of this experiment was to observe short-lived isomeric states in the vicinity of 78 Ni. Methods: In-beam fragmentation of a 86 Kr primary beam at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory produced radioactive ions which were delivered to and deposited in a Ce Br 3 scintillator coupled to a position-sensitive photomultiplier tube. Beta-delayed γ rays were measured by ancillary HPGe clover and LaBr 3 detectors which surrounded the implantation detector. Results: The previously observed J π = 1 + , 199-keV level in 76 Ga, populated following the β decay of 76 Zn, was identified as isomeric with a half-life of 34(1) stat. (8) sys. ns. Shell-model calculations suggest this state is formed by the coupling of protons in negative-parity configurations to 1/2 - neutron configurations. Transition strengths assuming a ground-state spin of J = 2 and J = 3 were determined from the experimental data.

59 ≤ A ≤ 89↗

First Precision Measurement of the Parity Violating Asymmetry in Cold Neutron Capture on 3 He

We report the first precision measurement of the parity-violating asymmetry in the direction of proton momentum with respect to the neutron spin, in the reaction 3 He(n,p) 3 H, using the capture of polarized cold neutrons in an unpolarized active 3 He target. The asymmetry is a result of the weak interaction between nucleons, which remains one of the least well-understood aspects of electroweak theory. The measurement provides an important benchmark for modern effective field theory and potential model calculations. Measurements like this are necessary to determine the spin-isospin structure of the hadronic weak interaction. Our asymmetry result is A PV =[1.55±0.97(stat)±0.24(sys)]×10 -8 , which has the smallest uncertainty of any hadronic parity-violating asymmetry measurement so far.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗