Structure studies of 257Db through combined {\alpha}, {\gamma} and internal-conversion-electron spectroscopy

TL;DR

This study investigates the decay properties of the $^{257}$Db decay chain using spectroscopy, revealing a high-K isomer, a new alpha-decay branch, and prompting revisions to the nuclear level scheme and parity assignments.

Contribution

It reports the first observation of a high-K isomer in $^{257}$Db and introduces new decay data leading to revised nuclear level schemes.

Findings

First observation of a high-K isomer in $^{257}$Db

Identification of an unreported alpha-decay branch in $^{249}$Md

Revision of the level and decay scheme for $^{257}$Db and related nuclei

Abstract

This work reports on the study of the decay properties along the $^{257}$Db decay chain using the GABRIELA setup. The first observation of a high-K isomer in $^{257}$Db is presented. In addition, an unreported $\alpha$-decay branch in $^{249}$Md has been evidenced, allowing to constrain the differences in energy of the $\alpha$-decaying levels in $^{249}$Md, $^{253}$Lr and $^{257}$Db. Finally, the combination of the observed fine structure $\alpha$-decay from the high-spin state in $^{257}$Db with the first observation the internal decay in $^{253}$Lr requires a revision of level and decay scheme. In particular, a change of parity for the high-spin state from 9/2$^{+}$ to 9/2$^{-}$ in the $^{257}$Db is suggested, and the implications of such a change are also discussed.