The structure of low-lying levels in 178W has been investigated with the 181Ta(p, 4n)178W reaction. Standard on-line γ-ray and conversion electron spectroscopy techniques including γ-γ coincidence and anglar distribution measurements as well as delayed conversion electron coincidence studies were employed. Two low-lying vibratiorial bands, a Kπ = 0+ band and a Kπ = 2− band, have been extended to higher spins, In addition two new rotational bands based on isomeric states at 1666 and 1740 keV are reported. The properties of these bands as well as their influence on the compound nucleus de-excitation process are discussed. The observed angular distributions of the ground-state rotational band transitions are compared with a simple model.

The performance of a single-gap electron spectrometer for in-beam isomeric lifetime measurements on the University of Manitoba Cyclotron is described. Conversion electrons following (p,xn) reactions are detected in delayed coincidence relative to the 28 MHz proton beam bursts. An overall resolving time of 770 ps fwhm is achieved for 345 keV electrons produced in the 197Au(p,2ne−)196Hg reaction. A determination of the half-life of the 1911 keV isomeric state in 194Hg yields T12 = (4.46±0.11)ns.