Level densities of nickel isotopes: microscopic theory versus experiment

We apply a spin-projection method to calculate microscopically the level densities of a family of nickel isotopes $^{59-64}$Ni using the shell model Monte Carlo approach in the complete $pfg_{9/2}$ shell. Accurate ground-state energies of the odd-mass nickel isotopes, required for the determination of excitation energies, are determined using the Green's function method recently introduced to circumvent the odd particle-number sign problem. Our results are in excellent agreement with recent measurements based on proton evaporation spectra and with level counting data at low excitation energies. We also compare our results with neutron resonance data, assuming equilibration of parity and a spin-cutoff model for the spin distribution at the neutron binding energy, and find good agreement with the exception of $^{63}$Ni.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, 2 tables, submitted to Phys. Rev. C, Rapid Communication

Recent Advances in the Application of the Shell Model Monte Carlo Approach to Nuclei

The shell model Monte Carlo (SMMC) method is a powerful technique for calculating the statistical and collective properties of nuclei in the presence of correlations in model spaces that are many orders of magnitude larger than those that can be treated by conventional diagonalization methods. We review recent advances in the development and application of SMMC to mid-mass and heavy nuclei.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures, Proceedings of the Eleventh International Spring Seminar on Nuclear Physic

High-precision excited state lifetime measurements in rare earth nuclei using LaBr3(Ce) detectors

To study how collective nuclear structure evolves towards mid-shell and test next-generation LaBr3(Ce) scintillation detectors, measurements of the lifetimes of 2+ 1 states in 168Hf and 174W were conducted at the Wright Nuclear Structure Laboratory. Prel

Evolution of collectivity near mid-shell from excited-state lifetime measurements in rare earth nuclei

The B(E2) excitation strength of the first excited 2+ state in even-even nuclei should directly correlate with the size of the valence space and maximize at mid-shell. A previously found saturation of B(E2) strengths in well-deformed rotors at mid-shell is tested through high-precision measurements of the lifetimes of the lowest-lying 2+ states of the Hf168 and W174 rare earth isotopes. Measurements were performed using fast LaBr3 scintillation detectors. Combined with the recently remeasured B(E2;2+1→0+1) values for Hf and W isotopes the new data remove discrepancies observed in the differentials of B(E2) values for these isotope

Excited State Lifetime Measurements in Rare Earth Nuclei with Fast Electronics

We investigated the collectivity of the lowest excited 2⁺ states of even-even rare earth nuclei. The B(E2) excitation strengths of these nuclei should directly correlate to the size of the valence space, and maximize at mid-shell. The previously identified saturation of B(E2) strength in well-deformed rotors at mid-shell is put to a high precision test in this series of measurements. Lifetimes of the 2⁺1 states in ¹⁶⁸Hf and ¹⁷⁴W have been measured using the newly developed LaBr₃ scintillation detectors. The excellent energy resolution in conjunction with superb time properties of the new material allows for reliable handling of background, which is a source of systematic error in such experiments. Preliminary lifetime values are obtained and discussed in the context of previous and ongoing work

High-precision excited state lifetime measurements in rare earth nuclei using LaBr3(Ce) detectors

To study how collective nuclear structure evolves towards mid-shell and test next-generation LaBr3(Ce) scintillation detectors, measurements of the lifetimes of 21+ states in 168Hf and 174W were conducted at the Wright Nuclear Structure Laboratory. Preliminary results indicate that the excellent time and energy resolution of LaBr3 detectors make them well suited to fast timing measurements, allowing for improved background subtraction and peak resolution in comparison to BaF2 detectors. Preliminary analysis shows an order of magnitude reduction in the statistical error of the 2+ lifetimes in comparison to literature values for both nuclei. In the case of 174W, a substantial reduction of the observed lifetime hints at the possibility of new physics in the region