Alignment delays in the N = Z nuclei Kr-72, Sr-76, and Zr-80

• The ground state rotational bands of the N = Z nuclei Kr-72, Sr-76, and Zr-80 have been extended into the angular momentum region where rotation alignment of particles is normally expected. By measuring the moments of inertia of these bands we have observed a consistent increase in the rotational frequency required to start pair breaking, when compared to neighboring nuclei. Kr-72 shows the most marked effect. It has been widely suggested that these delayed alignments arise from np-pairing correlations. However, alignment frequencies are very sensitive to shape degrees of freedom and normal pairing, so the new experimental observations are still open to interpretation.

Keyword

rotational bands

n=z

zirconium

model

t=0

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)