High-spin states in $^{22}$Ne

TL;DR

This study investigates high-spin states in $^{22}$Ne using nuclear reactions, identifying specific spin and parity states and suggesting possible rotational doublets, thereby enhancing understanding of nuclear structure in neon isotopes.

Contribution

The paper reports the first identification of several high-spin states in $^{22}$Ne, including new levels and their spin-parity assignments, using advanced experimental techniques.

Findings

Identification of 9$^-$ and 11$^-$ states at 20.1 and 20.7 MeV

Determination of four new levels with specific spins and parities

Suggestion that some levels form rotational doublets

Abstract

The structure of high-lying states in $^{22}$Ne has been studied using the $^{14}$C($^{12}$C,$\alpha$)$^{22}$Ne reaction at E($^{12}$C)= 44 MeV. The spins were determined by measuring double ($\alpha$,$\alpha$) angular correlations. Selective population of the 9$^-$ and 11$^-$ states at E$_x$=20.1 and 20.7 MeV, respectively, identifies those states as the 9$^-$ and 11$^-$ members of the first $K^{\pi}$ = 0$^-$ band, whose lower members were investigated by a method using inverse kinematics and a thick gas target. The spin and parity of four other new levels were determined to be 9$^-$ (21.5 MeV),12$^+$ (22.1 MeV),9$^-$ (25.0 MeV) and 8$^+$ (22.9 MeV). The two levels 9$^-$ and 12$^+$ may belong to the rotational doublets.