High-spin structure in $^{40}$K

TL;DR

This study investigates high-spin states in $^{40}$K using gamma-ray spectroscopy, discovering new states up to 8 MeV and spin 10-, and comparing findings with shell-model calculations to understand nuclear structure evolution.

Contribution

The paper reports the first observation of several high-spin states in $^{40}$K up to 8 MeV and spin 10-, and provides a detailed comparison with shell-model predictions.

Findings

Discovery of new high-spin states up to 8 MeV and spin 10-

Good agreement between experimental data and shell-model calculations

Insights into the evolution of nuclear structure with excitation energy and angular momentum

Abstract

High-spin states of $^{40}$K have been populated in the fusion-evaporation reaction $^{12}$C($^{30}$Si,np)$^{40}$K and studied by means of $\gamma$-ray spectroscopy techniques using one AGATA triple cluster detector, at INFN - Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro. Several new states with excitation energy up to 8 MeV and spin up to $10^-$ have been discovered. These new states are discussed in terms of J=3 and T=0 neutron-proton hole pairs. Shell-model calculations in a large model space have shown a good agreement with the experimental data for most of the energy levels. The evolution of the structure of this nucleus is here studied as a function of excitation energy and angular momentum.