Speaker
Jason Park
(University of British Columbia/TRIUMF)
Description
Self-conjugate nuclei, where $N=Z$, exhibit a strong $pn$ interaction due to the large overlap of wavefunctions in identical orbitals. The heaviest $N=Z$ nuclei studied so far is $^{92}$Pd, and it has demonstrated a strong binding in the $T = 0$ interaction [1]. As the mass number increases, the nucleus approaches the doubly-magic $^{100}$Sn. To investigate the evolution of the $pn$ interaction strength near the shell closure $N = Z = 50$, experimental results on the next self-conjugate, even-even nucleus $^{96}$Cd are needed.
Record quantities of $^{96}$Cd were produced at RIKEN Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory, via fragmentation of an intense $^{124}$Xe beam on a thin $^{9}$Be target. Their decay products were measured with EURICA, consisting of HPGe/LaBr$_3$ detectors for gamma-rays, and WAS3ABI, a set of position-sensitive silicon detectors for positrons, protons and ions. A high-spin isomeric state in $^{96}$Cd was found, along with gamma-ray transitions that populate both the ground state and the 16$^{+}$ spin-trap isomeric state. Isomer half-lives and the proposed experimental level scheme of $^{96}$Cd will be presented, followed by a discussion of its $pn$ interaction strength and the decay to $^{96}$Ag.
Author
Jason Park
(University of British Columbia/TRIUMF)
Co-authors
Dr
Marek Lewitowicz
(GANIL)
Prof.
Reiner Kruecken
(TRIUMF)
Dr
Roman Gernhaeuser
(TU Munich)
Dr
Shunji NISHIMURA
(RIKEN)
