Single-particle structure in neutron-rich Sr isotopes approaching the N = 60 shape transition

TL;DR

This study investigates the single-particle structure of neutron-rich Sr isotopes near N=60, revealing early signs of shape transition through experimental reactions and shell model comparisons.

Contribution

It provides new experimental data on neutron-rich Sr isotopes and compares these results with shell model calculations to understand shape transitions.

Findings

Good agreement with shell model for 93Sr and 94Sr

Strong shape mixing in 94Sr's 0+ states

Early indications of shape transition before N=60

Abstract

Background: Neutron-rich nuclei around neutron number N = 60 show a dramatic shape transition from spherical ground states to prolate deformation in 98Sr and heavier nuclei. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the single-particle structure approaching the shape transitional region. Method: The level structures of neutron-rich 93,94,95Sr were studied via the d(94,95,96Sr,t) one-neutron stripping reactions at TRIUMF using a beam energy of 5.5 AMeV. {\gamma}-rays emitted from excited states and recoiling charged particles were detected by using the TIGRESS and SHARC arrays, respectively. States were identified by gating on the excitation energy and, if possible, the coincident {\gamma} radiation. Results: Triton angular distributions for the reactions populating states in ejectile nuclei 93,94,95Sr were compared with distorted wave Born approximation calculations to assign and revise spin and parity quantum numbers and extract spectroscopic factors. The results were compared with shell model calculations and the reverse (d,p) reactions and good agreement was obtained. Conclusions: The results for the d(94Sr,t)93Sr and d(95Sr,t)94Sr reactions are in good agreement with shell model calculations. A two level mixing analysis for the 0+ states in 94Sr suggest strong mixing of two shapes. For the d(96Sr,t)95Sr reaction the agreement with the shell model is less good. The configuration of the ground state of 96Sr is already more complex than predicted, and therefore indications for the shape transition can already be observed before N = 60.