High-spin {\mu}s isomeric states in 96Ag

TL;DR

This paper reports the discovery and analysis of high-spin isomeric states in 96Ag, including a new cascade of gamma-ray transitions and refined half-life measurements, supported by shell model calculations.

Contribution

It presents the first observation of a gamma-ray cascade from a {bc}s isomer in 96Ag and provides detailed shell model analysis of these states.

Findings

First gamma-ray cascade observed from a {bc}s isomer in 96Ag.

Refined isomeric half-life of 1.45(7) microseconds.

Shell model calculations agree with experimental level energies and decay half-lives.

Abstract

The isomeric and {\beta} decays of the N = Z +2 nucleus 96Ag were investigated at NSCL. A cascade of {\gamma}-ray transitions originating from the de-excitation of a {\mu}s isomer was observed for the first time and was found in coincidence with two previously-known transitions with energies of 470 and 667 keV. The isomeric half-life was determined as 1.45(7) {\mu}s, more precise than previously reported. The existence of a second, longer-lived {\mu}s isomer, associated with a 743-keV transition, is also proposed here. Shell model results within the (p_{3/2}p_{1/2}f_{5/2}g_{9/2}) model space, using the jj44b interaction, reproduced level energies and isomeric decay half-lives reasonably well.