Coulomb excitation of $^{68}$Ni at safe energies

TL;DR

This study measures the $B(E2;0^+ o2^+)$ value in $^{68}$Ni using Coulomb excitation at safe energies, confirming low transition probability and validating previous intermediate energy results.

Contribution

It provides a precise measurement of the $B(E2)$ value in $^{68}$Ni at safe energies, using post-accelerated radioactive beams and advanced detection techniques, confirming prior findings.

Findings

The $B(E2)$ value in $^{68}$Ni is approximately 280 e$^2$fm$^4$.

Results agree with previous intermediate energy Coulomb excitation measurements.

The low $0^+ o2^+$ transition probability is confirmed.

Abstract

The $B(E2;0^+\to2^+)$ value in $^{68}$Ni has been measured using Coulomb excitation at safe energies. The $^{68}$Ni radioactive beam was post-accelerated at the ISOLDE facility (CERN) to 2.9 MeV/u. The emitted $\gamma$ rays were detected by the MINIBALL detector array. A kinematic particle reconstruction was performed in order to increase the measured c.m. angular range of the excitation cross section. The obtained value of 2.8$^{+1.2}_{-1.0}$ 10$^2$ e$^2$fm$^4$ is in good agreement with the value measured at intermediate energy Coulomb excitation, confirming the low $0^+\to2^+$ transition probability.