Single-step Coulomb excitation of 46,48,49,50Ti is presented. A complete set of E2 matrix elements for the quintuplet of states in 49Ti, centred on the 2+ core excitation, was measured for the first time. A total of nine E2 matrix elements are reported, four of which were previously unknown. 2249Ti27 shows a 20% quenching in electric quadrupole transition strength as compared to its semi-magic 2250Ti28 neighbour. This 20% quenching, while empirically unprecedented, can be explained with a remarkably simple two-state mixing model, which is also consistent with other ground-state properties such as the magnetic dipole moment and electric quadrupole moment. A connection to nucleon transfer data and the quenching of single-particle strength is also demonstrated. The simplicity of the 49Ti-50Ti pair (i.e., approximate single-j 0f7/2 valence space and isolation of yrast states from non-yrast states) provides a unique opportunity to disentangle otherwise competing effects in the ground-state properties of atomic nuclei, the emergence of collectivity, and the role of proton-neutron interactions.

The level structure of 36Al has been studied via n decay of 36Mg at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) and the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL). A long-lived isomer in 36Al was identified which decays by n to an excited state of 36Si. The ground state and the isomeric state of 36Al were found to populate different energy levels of 36Si. The results from the two data sets in the present work complement each other. Configuration interaction calculations performed with the FSU shell-model Hamiltonians provide reasonable descriptions to the experimental observations and offer insight into future improvements of the theoretical interpretation.

The scintillation mechanism in NaI:Tl crystals produces different pulse shapes that are dependent on the incoming particle type. The time distribution of scintillation light from nuclear recoil events decays faster than for electron recoil events and this difference can be categorised using various Pulse Shape Discrimination (PSD) techniques. In this study, we measured nuclear and electron recoils in a NaI:Tl crystal, with electron equivalent energies between 2 and 40 keV. We report on a new PSD approach, based on an event-type likelihood; this outperforms the charge-weighted mean-time, which is the conventional metric for PSD in NaI:Tl. Furthermore, we show that a linear combination of the two methods improves the discrimination power at these energies.

The electric monopole (E0) transition strength ρ^{2} for the transition connecting the third 0^{+} level, a "superdeformed" band head, to the "spherical" 0^{+} ground state in doubly magic ^{40}Ca is determined via e^{+}e^{-} pair-conversion spectroscopy. The measured value ρ^{2}(E0;0_{3}^{+}→0_{1}^{+})=2.3(5)×10^{-3} is the smallest ρ^{2}(E0;0^{+}→0^{+}) found in A<50 nuclei. In contrast, the E0 transition strength to the ground state observed from the second 0^{+} state, a band head of "normal" deformation, is an order of magnitude larger ρ^{2}(E0;0_{2}^{+}→0_{1}^{+})=25.9(16)×10^{-3}, which shows significant mixing between these two states. Large-scale shell-model (LSSM) calculations are performed to understand the microscopic structure of the excited states and the configuration mixing between them; experimental ρ^{2} values in ^{40}Ca and neighboring isotopes are well reproduced by the LSSM calculations. The unusually small ρ^{2}(E0;0_{3}^{+}→0_{1}^{+}) value is due to destructive interference in the mixing of shape-coexisting structures, which are based on several different multiparticle-multihole excitations. This observation goes beyond the usual treatment of E0 strengths, where two-state shape mixing cannot result in destructive interference.

The collective structure of 106Cd is elucidated by multi-step Coulomb excitation of a 3.849 MeV/A beam of 106Cd on a 1.1 mg/cm2 208Pb target using GRETINA-CHICO2 at ATLAS. Fourteen E2 matrix elements were obtained. The nucleus 106Cd is a prime example of emergent collectivity that possesses a simple structure: it is free of complexity caused by shape coexistence and has a small, but collectively active number of valence nucleons. This work follows in a long and currently active quest to answer the fundamental question of the origin of nuclear collectivity and deformation, notably in the cadmium isotopes. The results are discussed in terms of phenomenological models, the shell model, and Kumar-Cline sums of E2 matrix elements. The 〈02+||E2||21+〉 matrix element is determined for the first time, providing a total, converged measure of the electric quadrupole strength, 〈Q2〉, of the first-excited 21+ level relative to the 01+ ground state, which does not show an increase as expected of harmonic and anharmonic vibrations. Strong evidence for triaxial shapes in weakly collective nuclei is indicated; collective vibrations are excluded. This is contrary to the only other cadmium result of this kind in 114Cd by C. Fahlander et al. (1988) [38], which is complicated by low-lying shape coexistence near midshell.

We have performed measurements of sodium nuclear recoils in NaI:Tl crystals, following scattering by neutrons produced in a 7Li(p,n)7Be reaction. Understanding the light output from such recoils, which is reduced relative to electrons of equivalent energy by the quenching factor, is critical to interpret dark matter experiments that search for nuclear scattering interactions. We have developed a spectrum-fitting methodology to extract the quenching factor from our measurements, and report quenching factors for nuclear recoil energies between 36 and 401 keV. Our results agree with other recent quenching factor measurements that use quasi-monoenergetic neutron sources. The new method will be applied in the future to the NaI:Tl crystals used in the SABRE experiment.

Excited-state lifetimes were measured by direct fast-timing methods in three N = 125 isotones — 209 Po, 211 Rn, and 213 Ra — near doubly magic 208 Pb. These nuclei have a single neutron hole and successively add pairs of protons relative to 208 Pb. The first-excited state to ground-state transition, 5 / 2 1 − → 1 / 2 1 − , has almost identical energy in each isotone and can be associated with the single neutron-hole transition ν f 5 / 2 − 1 → ν p 1 / 2 − 1 . The extent to which the protons act as spectators is assessed based on the measured transition rates, which show a systematic increase along the isotone chain, and by comparisons with large-basis shell-model calculations. The shell model accounts for some of the increased transition strength but consistently underestimates the experimental values. It also fails to explain the near-constant transition energies. These results suggest emerging collectivity beyond the shell-model valence space and show that the near-constant transition energies are not a consequence of a pure neutron-hole transition, but rather the outcome of complex nucleon-nucleon correlations that increase quadrupole collectivity.

The emergence of nuclear collectivity near doubly-magic 132 Sn was explored along the stable, eveneven 124−130 Te isotopes. Preliminary measurements of the B (E2; 4 1 + → 2 1 + ) transition strengths are reported from Coulomb excitation experiments primarily aimed at measuring the g factors of the 4 1 + states. Isotopically enriched Te targets were excited by 198-205 MeV 58 Ni beams. A comparison of transition strengths obtained is made to large-scale shell-model calculations with successes and limitations discussed.

Background: High-spin isomers at approximate to 9 MeV excitation energies have been reported in several N = 83 isotones near Z = 64. Spin and parity assignments of J(pi) = 49/2(+) remain tentative for a number of these states in the odd-A nuclei. Purpose: To study the decay of the (49/2(+)) high-spin isomer in Sm-145, make firm spin and parity assignments to the isomer and states populated in its decay, and investigate the structure of the nucleus. Methods: The 145 Sm isomer was populated in the (124)sn(Mg-26, 5n) reaction. gamma-ray and conversion-electron data were collected using the Solenogam array. Results: A revised lifetime of t(1/2) = 3.52(16) mu s was measured for the high-spin isomer. Several new states have been added to the level scheme, and a new state at 8815 keV is proposed as the isomer, based on decay-property systematics, transition strengths, and spin and parity assignments. Firm spin and parity assignments have been made to states up to and including the isomer and the new level scheme is interpreted using shell-model calculations performed with the KSHELL program. Conclusions: The interpretation of the 49/2(+) isomer as a deformed excitation of the core neutrons remains unchanged, although there has been a significant revision of the level scheme below the isomer, and hence significant reinterpretations of the lower-lying states.

A new detector array, Solenogam, has been developed at the Australian National University Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility. Coupled initially to the SOLITAIRE 6.5 T, gas-filled, solenoidal separator, and later to an 8 T solenoid, the system enables the study of long-lived nuclear states through γ-ray and conversion-electron spectroscopy in a low-background environment. The detector system is described and results from the commissioning experiments are presented.

Isomers in Ga-66,Ge-67, and Ge-69 were recoil implanted into ferromagnetic hosts of iron and gadolinium at approximate to 6 K, and the hyperfine magnetic fields were determined by time differential perturbed angular distribution (TDPAD) measurements. The hyperfine field strengths at approximate to 6 K are compared to the results of previous higher-temperature measurements and the amplitudes of the R(t) functions are compared to empirical expectations. The results show that gadolinium can be a suitable host for high-precision in-beam g-factor measurements. The results of new g-factor measurements for isomers in Ga-66 and Ge-67 are g(Ga-66, 7(-)) = +0.126(4), supporting a [pi(f5/2) circle times nu g(9/2)](7)- configuration assignment, and g(Ge-67, 9/2(+)) = -0.1932(22), derived from a new measurement of the ratio g(Ge-67)/g(Ge-69) = 0.869(9). These values are in agreement with previous results. The R(t) amplitudes indicate that the nuclear alignment produced in the isomeric states was significantly lower than the empirically expected sigma/I approximate to 0.35.

Electric monopole (E0) transitions are a highly sensitive probe of the charge distribution of an atomic nucleus. A large E0 transition strength (ρ2(E0)) is a clear indicator of nuclear shape coexistence. In the region between doubly magic 40Ca and 56Ni, E0 transitions have never been observed in the Ti or Cr isotopes, nor in the heavier iron isotopes (56,58Fe). We have performed the first measurements of the E0 transitions in 52Cr via conversion-electron and pair-conversion spectroscopy using the Super-e spectrometer at the Australian National University Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility. We present the first spectra obtained for 52Cr, including the first observation of the E0 transition from the first-excited 0+ state in 52Cr, in both electron-positron pairs and conversion-electron spectroscopy. The preliminary values for the E0 strength in the 1531keV 2+ → 2+ transition in 52Cr is ρ2(E0) × 103 = 470(190), and for the 1728-keV 23+ → 21+ transition, it is ρ2(E0) 103 = 1800(1200). The large E0 strengths observed are consistent with shape coexistence in this region. However, despite the relatively precise observation of the conversion-electron and electron-positron pair intensities, the E0 strengths have large uncertainties. More precise determinations of relevant spectroscopic quantities, such as the state lifetimes and transition mixing ratios for mixed M1 + E2 transitions, are needed to determine the E0 strength more precisely.

Background: Stellar carbon synthesis occurs exclusively via the 3 alpha process, in which three alpha particles fuse to form C-12 in the excited Hoyle state, followed by electromagnetic decay to the ground state. The Hoyle state is above the alpha threshold, and the rate of stellar carbon production depends on the radiative width of this state. The radiative width cannot be measured directly, and must instead be deduced by combining three separately measured quantities. One of these quantities is the E0 decay branching ratio of the Hoyle state, and the current 10% uncertainty on the radiative width stems mainly from the uncertainty on this ratio. The rate of the 3 alpha process is an important input parameter in astrophysical calculations on stellar evolution, and a high precision is imperative to constrain the possible outcomes of astrophysical models. Purpose: To deduce a new, more precise value for the E0 decay branching ratio of the Hoyle state. Method: The E0 branching ratio was deduced from a series of pair conversion measurements of the E0 and E2 transitions depopulating the 0(2)(+) Hoyle state and 2(1)(+) state in C-12, respectively. The excited states were populated by the C-12(p, p') reaction at 10.5 MeV beam energy, and the pairs were detected with the electron-positron pair spectrometer, Super-e, at the Australian National University. The deduced branching ratio required knowledge of the proton population of the two states, as well as the alignment of the 2(1)(+) state in the reaction. For this purpose, proton scattering and gamma-ray angular distribution experiments were also performed. Results: An E0 branching ratio of Gamma(E0)(pi)/Gamma = 8.2(5) x 10(-6) was deduced in the current work, and an adopted value of Gamma(E0)(pi)/Gamma = 7.6(4) x 10(-6) is recommended based on a weighted average of previous literature values and the new result. Conclusions: The new recommended value for the E0 branching ratio is about 14% larger than the previous adopted value of Gamma(E0)(pi)/Gamma = 6.7(6) x 10(-6), while the uncertainty has been reduced from 9% to 5%. The new result reduces the radiative width, and hence 3a reaction rate, by 11% relative to the adopted value, and the uncertainty to 6.1%. This reduction in width and increased precision is likely to constrain possible outcomes of astrophysical calculations.

Radioactive ^{129}Sb, which can be treated as a proton plus semimagic ^{128}Sn core within the particle-core coupling scheme, was studied by Coulomb excitation. Reduced electric quadrupole transition probabilities, B(E2), for the 2^{+}⊗πg_{7/2} multiplet members and candidate πd_{5/2} state were measured. The results indicate that the total electric quadrupole strength of ^{129}Sb is a factor of 1.39(11) larger than the ^{128}Sn core, which is in stark contrast to the expectations of the empirically successful particle-core coupling scheme. Shell-model calculations performed with two different sets of nucleon-nucleon interactions suggest that this enhanced collectivity is due to constructive quadrupole coherence in the wave functions stemming from the proton-neutron residual interactions, where adding one nucleon to a core near a double-shell closure can have a pronounced effect. The enhanced electric quadrupole strength is an early signal of the emerging nuclear collectivity that becomes dominant away from the shell closure.

Shell-model calculations for 127,129In and 129,131Sb are presented, and interpreted in the context of the particle-core coupling scheme, wherein proton g9/2 holes or g7/2 particles are added to semimagic 128,130Sn cores. These results indicate that the particle-core coupling scheme is appropriate for the Sb isotopes, whilst less so for the In isotopes. B(E2) excitation strengths are also calculated, and show evidence of enhanced collectivity in both Sb isotopes, especially 131Sb. This observation suggests that 131Sb would be an excellent case for an experimental study seeking to investigate the early onset of collectivity near 132Sn.

The E0 transition depopulating the first-excited 0+ state in 24Mg has been observed for the first time, and the E0 transition strength determined by electron-positron pair and γ-ray spectroscopy measurements performed using the Super-e pair spectrometer. The E0 transition strength is ρ2×103=380(70). A two-state mixing model implies a deformation of the first-excited 0+ state of β2≈1 and a change in the mean-square charge radius of Δ〈r2〉≈1.9fm2, which suggests a significant shape change between the ground state and first-excited 0+ state in 24Mg. The observed E0 strength gives direct evidence of shape coexistence and superdeformation in 24Mg, bringing this nucleus into line with similar behaviour in nearby N=Z nuclei. This result agrees with recent theoretical work on the cluster nature of 24Mg and has potential ramifications for nuclear reactions of astrophysical importance.

The even cadmium isotopes near the neutron midshell have long been considered good examples of vibrational nuclei. However, the vibrational nature of these nuclei has been questioned based on E2 transition rates that are not consistent with vibrational excitations. In the neighbouring odd-mass nuclei, the g factors of the low-excitation collective states have been shown to be more consistent with a deformed rotational core than a vibrational core. Beyond the comparison of vibrational versus rotational models, recent advances in computational power have made shell-model calculations feasible for Cd isotopes, which may give insights into the emergence and nature of collectivity in the Cd isotopes. Collective excitations in the A ~ 100 region were studied through magnetic moments and electromagnetic transitions in 111Cd. The spectroscopy of 111Cd has been studied following Coulomb excitation. Angular correlation measurements, transient-field g-factor measurements and lifetime measurements by the Doppler-broadened line shape method were performed. The structure of the nucleus was explored in relation to particle-vibration versus particle-rotor interpretations. Large-scale shell-model calculations were performed with the SR88MHJM Hamiltonian. Excited-state g factors have been measured, spin assignments examined and lifetimes determined. Attention was given to the reported $5/2^{+}$ 753-keV and $3/2^{+}$ 755-keV states. The $3/2^{+}$ 755-keV level was not observed; evidence is presented that the reported $3/2^+$ state was a misidentification of the $5/2^{+}$ 753-keV state. It is shown that the g factors and level structure of 111Cd are not readily explained by the particle-vibration model. A particle-rotor approach has both successes and limitations. The shell-model approach successfully reproduces much of the known low-excitation structure in 111Cd.

Current developments in excited-state g-factor measurements are discussed with an emphasis on cases where the experimental methodology is being extended into new regimes. The transient-field technique, the recoil in vacuum method, and moment measurements with LaBr3 detectors are discussed.

A method is presented for obtaining ground-state and isomeric lifetimes from storage-ring data. The method published by Schmidt et al. is extended to the problems and solutions associated with applying their method to storage-ring data. These developed procedures are applied to real experimental data for Re-193, and a mean-lifetime value of 37(-7)(+9) s is obtained. This is consistent with a previous measurement.