Abstract: The transitional nuclei Xe-132 and Xe-133 are investigated after multinucleon-transfer (MNT) and fusionevaporation reactions. Both nuclei are populated (i) in Xe-136 + 2(08P)b MNT reactions employing the highresolution Advanced GAmma Tracking Array (AGATA) coupled to the magnetic spectrometer PRISMA, (ii) in the Xe-136 + Pt-198 MNT reaction employing the GAMMASPHERE spectrometer in combination with the gas-detector array CHICO, and (iii) as an evaporation residue after a Te-130(alpha, xn) Xe134-xn fusion-evaporation reaction employing the HORUS gamma-ray array at the University of Cologne. The high-spin level schemes are considerably extended above the J(pi) = (7(-)) and (10+) isomers in Xe-132 and above the 11/2(-) isomer in Xe-133. The results are compared to the high-spin systematics of the Z = 54 as well as the N = 78 and N = 79 chains. Furthermore, evidence is found for a long-lived (T-1/2 >> μs) isomer in Xe-133 which closes a gap along the N = isotones. Shell-model calculations employing the SN100PN and PQM130 effective interactions reproduce the experimental findings and provide guidance to the interpretation of the observed high-spin features.

Abstract: Lifetimes of the 4(1)(+) states in Fe-62,Fe-64 and the 11/2(1)(-) states in Co-61,Co-63 and Mn-59 were measured at the Grand Accelerateur National d'Ions Lourds (GANIL) facility by using the Advanced Gamma Tracking Array (AGATA) and the large-acceptance variable mode spectrometer (VAMOS++). The states were populated through multinucleon transfer reactions with a U-238 beam impinging on a Ni-64 target, and lifetimes in the picosecond range were measured by using the recoil distance Doppler shift method. The data show an increase of collectivity in the iron isotopes approaching N = 40. The reduction of the subshell gap between the nu 2p(1/2) and nu 1g(9/2) orbitals leads to an increased population of the quasi-SU(3) pair (nu 1g(9/2), nu 2d(5/2)), which causes an increase in quadrupole collectivity. This is not observed for the cobalt isotopes withN < 40 for which the neutron subshell gap is larger due to the repulsive monopole component of the tensor nucleon-nucleon interaction. The extracted experimental B(E2) values are compared with large-scale shell-model calculations and with beyond-mean-field calculations with the Gogny D1S interaction. A good agreement between calculations and experimental values is found, and the results demonstrate in particular the spectroscopic quality of the Lenzi, Nowacki, Poves, and Sieja (LNPS) shell-model interaction.

Abstract: The shape transition in the neutron-rich Os isotopes is studied by investigating the neutron-rich Os-196 nucleus through in-beam gamma-ray spectroscopy using a two-proton transfer reaction from a Pt-198 target to a Se-82 beam. The beam-like recoils were detected and identified with the large-acceptance magnetic spectrometer PRISMA, and the coincident gamma rays were measured with the advanced gamma tracking array (AGATA) demonstrator. The de-excitation of the low-lying levels of the yrast-band of Os-196 were identified for the first time. The results are compared with state-of-the-art beyond-mean-field calculations, performed for the even-even Os188-198 isotopes. The new results suggest a smooth transition in the Os isotopes from a more axial rotational behavior towards predominately vibrational nuclei through triaxial configurations. An almost perfect gamma-unstable/triaxial rotor yrast band is predicted for Os-196 which is in agreement with the experimentally measured excited states.