Abstract: Background: Nuclear structure information for the neutron-rich actinide nuclei is important since it is the benchmark for theoretical models that provide predictions for the heaviest nuclei. Purpose: gamma-ray spectroscopy of neutron-rich heavy nuclei in the actinide region. Method: Multinucleon-transfer reactions in Zn-70 + U-238 and Xe-136 + U-238 have been measured in two experiments performed at the INFN Legnaro, Italy. In the Zn-70 experiment the high-resolution HPGe Clover Array (CLARA) coupled to the magnetic spectrometer PRISMA was employed. In the Xe-136 experiment the high-resolution Advanced Gamma Tracking Array (AGATA) was used in combination with PRISMA and the Detector Array for Multinucleon Transfer Ejectiles (DANTE). Results: The ground-state band (g.s. band) of U-240 was measured up to the 20(+) level and a tentative assignment was made up to the (24(+)) level. Results from gamma gamma coincidence and from particle coincidence analyses are shown. Moments of inertia (MoI) show a clear upbend. Evidence for an extended first negative-parity band of U-240 is found. Conclusions: A detailed comparison with latest calculations shows best agreement with cranked relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov (CRHB) calculations for the g.s. band properties. The negative-parity band shows the characteristics of a K-pi = 0 band based on an octupole vibration.

Abstract: Background: Identification of proton-neutron mixed-symmetric one-quadrupole phonon excitations (the 2(ms)(+) states) of atomic nuclei provides information on the isovector part of the residual nucleon-nucleon interaction. It was predicted that the 2(ms)(+) state of particular nuclei close to the U(5) limit of the interacting boson model, in particular Ba-140, should be considerably populated by alpha-transfer reactions [C. E. Alonso et al., Phys. Rev. C 78, 017301 (2008)]. Purpose: We aim at the identification of the 2(ms)(+) mixed-symmetry state (MSS) of radioactive Ba-140 and investigate its population by the alpha-transfer reaction as a suitable tool to selectively populate MSSs and as a potential new signature for its mixed-symmetric character. Method: A gamma-ray spectroscopy experiment was performed in inverse kinematics in order to populate the 2(ms)(+) state of Ba-140 by alpha-transfer from a C-nat target on Xe-136 beam ions. The population of the candidate for the 2(ms)(+) state of Ba-140 was measured relative to the population of the 2(1)(+) state. Results: The candidate for the 2(ms)(+) state of Ba-140 was populated by a transfer three times weaker than predicted. Another 2(+) state that can be ruled out as the MSS was in turn as strongly populated by the a transfer as predicted for the MSS. Conclusions: The relative population of 2(+) states by alpha-transfer cannot serve as a new signature for MSSs, since other 2(+) states are also strongly populated. Nevertheless, the substantial population of the MSS candidate of Ba-140 by alpha transfer qualifies this type of reaction as suitable tool to excite MSSs and study their electromagnetic decay properties.

Abstract: Linear polarization measurements have been performed for gamma rays in Ru-91 produced with the Ni-58(Ar-36,2p1n gamma)Ru-91 reaction at a beam energy of 111 MeV. The EXOGAM Ge clover array has been used to measure the gamma-gamma coincidences, gamma-ray linear polarization, and gamma-ray angular distributions. The polarization sensitivity of the EXOGAM clover detectors acting as Compton polarimeters has been determined in the energy range 0.3-1.3 MeV. Several transitions have been observed for the first time. Measurements of linear polarization and angular distribution have led to the firm assignments of spin differences and parity of high-spin states in Ru-91. More specifically, calculations using a semiempirical shell model were performed to understand the structures of the first and second (21/2(+)) and (17/2(+)) levels. The results are in good agreement with the experimental data, supporting the interpretation of the nonyrast (21/2(+)) and (17/2(+)) states in terms of the J(max) and J(max) – 2 members of the seniority-three nu(g(9/2))(-3) multiplet.