Gamma-ray and conversion-electron spectroscopy of the high-spin isomer in 145Sm

TL;DR

This study investigates the high-spin isomer in 145Sm through gamma-ray and electron spectroscopy, revising its lifetime and level scheme, and providing firm spin and parity assignments supported by shell-model calculations.

Contribution

The paper provides the first firm spin and parity assignments for the 145Sm isomer and revises the nuclear level scheme using experimental data and shell-model analysis.

Findings

Measured isomer lifetime as 3.52(16) microseconds.

Proposed a new 8815 keV state as the isomer.

Revised the level scheme and confirmed the deformed core neutron excitation.

Abstract

Background: High-spin isomers at {\approx}9-MeV excitation energies have been reported in several N = 83 isotones near Z = 64. Spin and parity assignments of J{^\pi} = 49/2+ remain tentative for a number of these states in the odd-A nuclei. Purpose: To study the decay of the (49/2 +) high-spin isomer in 145 Sm, make firm spin and parity assignments to the isomer and states populated in its decay, and investigate the structure of the nucleus. Methods: The 145Sm isomer was populated in the 124Sn(26Mg,5n) reaction. Gamma-ray and conversion-electron data were collected using the Solenogam array. Results: A revised lifetime of t1/2 = 3.52(16) mus was measured for the high-spin isomer. Several new states have been added to the level scheme, and a new state at 8815 keV is proposed as the isomer, based on decay-property systematics, transition strengths, and spin and parity assignments. Firm spin and parity assignments have been made to states up to and including the isomer and the new level scheme is interpreted using shell-model calculations performed with the KShell program. Conclusions: The interpretation of the 49/2+ isomer as a deformed excitation of the core neutrons remains unchanged, although there has been a significant revision of the level scheme below the isomer, and hence significant reinterpretations of the lower-lying states.