Abstract: Excited states in the Z = 19, N = 29 neutron-rich (48)K isotope have been studied using deep-inelastic transfer reactions with a thick target at Gammasphere and with a thin target at the PRISMA-CLARA spectrometer. The lowest excited states were located; they involve a proton hole in the s(1/2) or d(3/2) orbital coupled to a p(3/2) neutron. A new 7.1(5)-ns, 5(+) isomer, the analog of the 7/2 isomer in (47)K, was identified. Based on the observed gamma-decay pattern of the isomer a revised spin-parity assignment of 1(-) is proposed for the ground state of (48)K.

Abstract: Background: The photon strength functions (PSFs) and nuclear level density (NLD) are key ingredients for calculation of the photon interaction with nuclei, in particular the reaction cross sections. These cross sections are important especially in nuclear astrophysics and in the development of advanced nuclear technologies. Purpose: The role of the scissors mode in the M1 PSF of (well-deformed) actinides was investigated by several experimental techniques. The analyses of different experiments result in significant differences, especially on the strength of the mode. The shape of the low-energy tail of the giant electric dipole resonance is uncertain as well. In particular, some works proposed a presence of the E1 pygmy resonance just above 7 MeV. Because of these inconsistencies additional information on PSFs in this region is of great interest. Methods: The gamma-ray spectra from neutron-capture reactions on the U-234, U-236, and U-238 nuclei have been measured with the total absorption calorimeter of the n_TOF facility at CERN. The background-corrected sum-energy and multi-step-cascade spectra were extracted for several isolated s-wave resonances up to about 140 eV. Results: The experimental spectra were compared to statistical model predictions coming from a large selection of models of photon strength functions and nuclear level density. No combination of PSF and NLD models from literature is able to globally describe our spectra. After extensive search we were able to find model combinations with modified generalized Lorentzian (MGLO) E1 PSF, which match the experimental spectra as well as the total radiative widths. Conclusions: The constant temperature energy dependence is favored for a NLD. The tail of giant electric dipole resonance is well described by the MGLO model of the E1 PSF with no hint of pygmy resonance. The M1 PSF must contain a very strong, relatively wide, and likely double-resonance scissors mode. The mode is responsible for about a half of the total radiative width of neutron resonances and significantly affects the radiative cross section.

Abstract: The structure of Po-208 populated through the EC/beta(+) decay of At-208 is investigated using gamma-ray spectroscopy at the ISOLDE Decay Station. The presented level scheme contains 27 new excited states and 43 new transitions, as well as a further 50 previously observed. rays which have been (re)assigned a position. The level scheme is compared to shell model calculations. Through this analysis approximately half of the beta-decay strength of At-208 is found to proceed via allowed decay and half via first-forbidden decay. The first-forbidden transitions predominantly populate core excited states at high excitation energies, which is qualitatively understood using shell model considerations. This mass region provides an excellent testing ground for the competition between allowed and first-forbidden beta-decay calculations, important for the detailed understanding of the nucleosynthesis of heavy elements.

Abstract: We use recent data that show a narrow peak around root s = 2.37 GeV in the pn -> d pi(+)pi(-) cross section, with about double strength at the peak than in the analogous pn -> d pi(0)pi(0) reaction, and, assuming that it is due to the excitation of a dibaryon resonance, we evaluate the cross section for the pn -> pn pi(+)pi(-) reaction, with the final pn unbound but with the same quantum numbers as the deuteron. We use accurate techniques to determine the final state interaction in the case of the pn forming a deuteron or a positive energy state, which allow us to get the pn -> pn pi(+)pi(-) cross section with pn in I = 0 and S = 1, that turns out to be quite close or saturates the experimental pn -> pn pi(+)pi(-) total cross section around root s = 2.37 GeV, depending on the angular momentum assumed. This poses problems to the assumption of the dibaryon hypothesis, which could be rendered more restrictive with future precise data on the pn -> pn pi(+)pi(-) reaction.

Abstract: The repulsive short-distance core is one of the main paradigms of nuclear physics which even seems confirmed by QCD lattice calculations. On the other hand nuclear potentials at short distances are motivated by high energy behavior where inelasticities play an important role. We analyze NN interactions up to 3 GeV in terms of simple coarse grained complex and energy dependent interactions. We discuss two possible and conflicting scenarios which share the common feature of a vanishing wave function at the core location in the particular case of S waves. We find that the optical potential with a repulsive core exhibits a strong energy dependence whereas the optical potential with the structural core is characterized by a rather adiabatic energy dependence which allows one to treat inelasticity perturbatively. We discuss the possible implications for nuclear structure calculations of both alternatives.