[en] Gamma rays with energies up to 21 MeV were measured with Ge detectors. Such γ rays were produced in the 208Pb(p,γ)209Bi reaction. The position of the 2g9/2 single proton orbit in 209Bi has been determined indicating the size of the Z=126 shell gap

[en] A search for isomeric states was performed in the nucleus 60140Nd80 using in-beam γ-ray spectroscopy and the 126Te(18O,4n) reaction. Prompt and delayed γ-ray coincidences were measured with the AFRODITE spectrometer using the pulsed beam delivered by the Separated Sector Cyclotron of iThemba LABS. One new isomer was identified, with spin-parity Iπ=20+ and lifetime T1/2≥400 ns, at an excitation energy Ex=7430 keV. The lifetime of the 10+ isomer at Ex=3619 keV was determined to be 32.9(1.8) ns, confirming the previously reported value. The configuration of the Iπ=20+ isomer is assigned based on configuration-dependent cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky (CNS) calculations as a state π(d5/2g7/2)10+-4xν(h11/2-2)10+, with the spin vectors of the six holes in the 64146Gd82 core fully aligned

[en] A candidate for chiral bands was found in ¹⁹⁸Tl for the first time in a mass region of oblate (or nonaxial with γ≥30 deg.) deformed nuclei. Two bands show very similar quasiparticle alignments, moments of inertia, and B(M1)/B(E2) ratios. They have a relative excitation energy of about 500 keV and different patterns of energy staggering. Calculations using the two-quasiparticle-plus-triaxial-rotor model with residual proton-neutron interaction included show that a triaxial deformation with γ∼44 deg. agrees very well with all the experimental observations. Furthermore, considerable energy staggering for both partner bands was calculated for this πh_9/2 x νi_13/2^-1 configuration at γ∼30 deg., suggesting that chiral bands may have substantial energy staggering

[en] High spin states in ¹⁹⁴Tl, excited through the ¹⁸¹Ta(¹⁸O,5n) fusion evaporation reaction, were studied using the AFRODITE array at iThemba LABS. Candidate chiral bands built on the πh_9/2 x νi_13/2¹ configuration were found. Furthermore these bands were observed through a band crossing caused by the excitation of a νi_13/2 pair. Above the band crossing the excitation energies remain close, suggesting that chirality may persist for the four quasiparticle configuration too.