Abstract: Lifetimes of the 9/2(1)(-) and 3/2(1)(-) states in Co-63 and the 9/2(1)(-) state in Co-65 were measured using the recoil distance Doppler shift and the differential decay curve methods. The nuclei were populated by multinucleon transfer reactions in inverse kinematics. gamma rays were measured with the EXOGAM Ge array and the recoiling fragments were fully identified using the large-acceptance VAMOS spectrometer. The E2 transition probabilities from the 3/2(1)(-) and 9/2(1)(-) states to the 7/2(-) ground state could be extracted in Co-63 as well as an upper limit for the 9/2(1)(-) -> 7/2(1)(-) B(E2) value in Co-65. The experimental results were compared to large-scale shell-model calculations in the pf and pfg(9/2) model spaces, allowing us to draw conclusions on the single-particle or collective nature of the various states.

Abstract: We measured multinucleon transfer reactions for the 206Pb + 118Sn system at Elab = 1200 MeV by employing the large solid angle magnetic spectrometer PRISMA. Differential and total cross sections and Q-value distri-butions have been obtained for a variety of neutron and proton pick-up and stripping channels. The Q-value distributions show how the quasielastic and deep inelastic processes depend on the mass and charge of the transfer products. The corresponding cross sections have been compared with calculations performed with the GRAZING code. An overall good agreement is found for most of the few nucleon transfer channels. The underestimation of the data for channels involving a large number of transferred nucleons indicates that more complicated processes populate the given isotopes.

Abstract: The beta decay of Zr-101,Zr-102 and Tc-109 was studied using the technique of total absorption spectroscopy. The experiment was performed at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory using the Summing NaI(Tl) (SuN) detector in the first-ever application of total absorption spectroscopy with a fast beam produced via projectile fragmentation. The beta-decay feeding intensity and Gamow-Teller transition strength distributions were extracted for these three decays. The extracted distributions were compared to three different quasiparticle random-phase approximation (QRPA) models based on different mean-field potentials. A comparison with calculations from one of the QRPA models was performed to learn about the ground-state shape of the parent nucleus. For Zr-101 and Zr-102, calculations assuming a pure shape configuration (oblate or prolate) were not able to reproduce the extracted distributions. These results may indicate that some type of mixture between oblate and prolate shapes is necessary to reproduce the extracted distributions. For Tc-109, a comparison of the extracted distributions with QRPA calculations suggests a dominant oblate configuration. The other two QRPA models are commonly used to provide beta-decay properties in r-process network calculations. This work shows the importance of making comparisons between the experimental and theoretical beta-decay distributions, rather than just half-lives and beta-delayed neutron emission probabilities, as close to the r-process path as possible.

Abstract: Using the Double Chooz detector, designed to measure the neutrino mixing angle theta(13), the products of mu(-) capture on C-12, C-13, N-14, and O-16 have been measured. Over a period of 489.5 days, 2.3 x 10(6) stopping cosmic mu(-) have been collected, of which 1.8 x 10(5) captured on carbon, nitrogen, or oxygen nuclei in the inner detector scintillator or acrylic vessels. The resulting isotopes were tagged using prompt neutron emission (when applicable), the subsequent beta decays, and, in some cases, beta-delayed neutrons. The most precise measurement of the rate of C-12(mu(-), nu)B-12 to date is reported: 6.57(-0.21)(+0.11) x 10(3) s(-1), or (17.35(-0.59)(+0.35))% of nuclear captures. By tagging excited states emitting gamma s, the ground state transition rate to B-12 has been determined to be 5.68(-0.23)(+0.14) x 10(3) s(-1). The heretofore unobserved reactions C-12(mu(-), nu alpha)Li-8, C-13(mu(-), nu n alpha)Li-8, and C-13(mu(-), nu n)B-12 are measured. Further, a population of beta n decays following stopping muons is identified with 5.5 sigma significance. Statistics limit our ability to identify these decays definitively. Assuming negligible production of He-8, the reaction C-13(mu(-), nu alpha)Li-9 is found to be present at the 2.7 sigma level. Limits are set on a variety of other processes.

Abstract: Background: The evolution of shell structure around doubly magic exotic nuclei is of great interest in nuclear physics and astrophysics. In the 'southwest' region of Ni-78, the development of deformation might trigger a major shift in our understanding of explosive nucleosynthesis. To this end, new spectroscopic information on key close-lying nuclei is very valuable. Purpose: We intend to measure the isomeric and beta decay of Co-75, with one-proton and two-neutron holes relative to Ni-78, to access new nuclear structure information in Co-75 and its beta-decay daughters Ni-75 and Ni-74. Methods: The nucleus Co-75 is produced in relativistic in-flight fission reactions of U-238 at the Radioactive Ion Beam Factory in the RIKEN Nishina Center. Its isomeric and f decay are studied exploiting the BigRIPS and EURICA setups. Results: We obtain partial beta-decay spectra for Ni-75 and Ni-74, and report a new isomeric transition in Co-75. The energy [E-gamma = 1914(2) keV] and half-life [t(1/2) = 13(6) μs] of the delayed gamma ray lend support for the existence of aJ(pi) = (1/2(-)) isomeric state at 1914(2) keV. A comparison with PFSDG-U shell-model calculations provides a good account for the observed states in Ni-75, but the first calculated 1/2(-) level in Co-75, a prolate K = 1/2 state, is predicted about 1 MeV below the observed (1/2(-)) level. Conclusions: The spherical-like structure of the lowest-lying excited states in Ni-75 is proved. In the case of Co-75, the results suggest that the dominance of the spherical configurations over the deformed ones might be stronger than expected below Ni-78. Further experimental efforts to discern the nature of the J(pi) = (1/2(-)) isomer are necessary.