No abstract available

No abstract available

[en] Neutron-deficient astatine and francium nuclei were produced in the reaction ³⁰Si+¹⁸¹Ta→²¹¹Fr* at 152 MeV. The evaporation residues from this very fissile system were selected with the HERCULES-II detector system and residue-gated γ rays were measured with Gammasphere. Excited states were observed for the first time in ^205,207Fr, as well as sequences of low-energy transitions between high-spin states in ²⁰⁴At and ²⁰⁶Fr. These latter structures have properties similar to those associated with magnetic rotation (shears bands) in lead nuclei. Comparisons with established shears bands are presented and prospects for the magnetic-rotation phenomenon near the predicted N=120''magic'' number are explored

[en] High-spin states in the odd-odd nucleus ¹⁶⁸Ta have been populated in the ¹²⁰Sn(⁵¹V,3n) reaction. Two multi-quasiparticle structures have been extended significantly from spin ∼20(ℎ/2π) to above 40(ℎ/2π). As a result, the first rotational alignment has been fully delineated and a second band crossing has been observed for the first time in this nucleus. Configurations for these strongly coupled rotational bands are proposed based on signature splitting, B(M1)/B(E2) ratio information, and observed rotation-alignment behavior. Properties of the observed bands in ¹⁶⁸Ta are compared to related structures in the neighboring odd-Z, odd-N, and odd-odd nuclei and are discussed within the framework of the cranked shell model.

[en] High-spin states in the odd-odd nucleus ¹⁶⁶Ta are investigated through the 5n channel of the ⁵¹V+¹²⁰Sn reaction. Four new bands are observed and linked into the previous level scheme. Configurations for the bands are proposed, based on measured alignments and B(M1)/B(E2) transition strength ratios.

[en] Excited states in the neutron-deficient nucleus ¹⁶⁷Ta were studied through the ¹²⁰Sn(⁵¹V,4n) reaction. Twelve rotational bands have been observed and the relative excitation energy of each sequence is now known owing to the multiple interband connections. Several quasineutron alignments were observed that aided in the quasiparticle assignments of these bands. The resulting interpretation is in line with observations in neighboring nuclei. Trends in the wobbling phonon energy seen in ^{161,163,165,167}Lu and ¹⁶⁷Ta are also discussed and particle-rotor model calculations (assuming constant moments of inertia) are found to be inconsistent with the experimental data.

[en] The collective wobbling mode, the strongest signature for the rotation of a triaxial nucleus, has previously been seen only in a few Lu isotopes in spite of extensive searches in nearby isotopes. A sequence of transitions in the N=94 ¹⁶⁷Ta nucleus exhibiting features similar to those attributed to the wobbling bands in the Lu nuclei has now been found. This band feeds into the πi_13/2 band at a relative energy similar to that seen in the established wobbling bands and its dynamic moment of inertia and alignment properties are nearly identical to the i_13/2 structure over a significant frequency range. Given these characteristics, it is likely that the wobbling mode has been observed for the first time in a nucleus other than Lu, making this collective motion a more general phenomenon.