$\beta$ Decay and Isomeric Properties of Neutron-Rich Ca and Sc Isotopes

TL;DR

This paper investigates the beta decay and isomeric properties of neutron-rich calcium and scandium isotopes near N=32, analyzing their level schemes to understand nuclear shell closures and structural evolution.

Contribution

It provides new experimental data on isomeric and beta decay properties of specific neutron-rich isotopes and discusses implications for nuclear shell structure near N=32 and N=34.

Findings

Evidence supporting the robustness of the N=32 subshell closure.

Insights into the low-energy level schemes of Sc and Ti isotopes.

Implications for the existence of a possible N=34 subshell closure.

Abstract

The isomeric and $\beta$-decay properties of neutron-rich $^{53-57}$Sc and $^{53,54}$Ca nuclei near neutron number $N$=32 are reported, and the low-energy level schemes of $^{53,54,56}$Sc and $^{53-57}$Ti are presented. The low-energy level structures of the $_{21}$Sc isotopes are discussed in terms of the coupling of the valence $1f_{7/2}$ proton to states in the corresponding $_{20}$Ca cores. Implications with respect to the robustness of the $N$=32 subshell closure are discussed, as well as the repercussions for a possible $N$=34 subshell closure.