Examination of the low-energy enhancement of the γ -ray strength function of Fe 56
A model-independent technique was used to determine the gamma-ray strength function (gamma SF) of Fe-56 down to gamma-ray energies less than 1 MeV for the first time with GRETINA using the (p, p') reaction at 16MeV. No difference was observed in the energy dependence of the gamma SF built on 2(+) and 4(+) final states, supporting the Brink hypothesis. In addition, angular distribution and polarization measurements were performed. The angular distributions are consistent with dipole radiation. The polarization results show a small bias towards magnetic character in the region of the enhancement.