Ground-state transition strengths of the (p, t) reactions for nuclei with A = 23−238

Differential cross sections at the first peak of L = 0 angular distributions of ground-state transitions in (p, t) reactions have been measured with a 51.9 MeV proton beam for target nuclei with A = 23–238. Distinct shell-closure effects were observed at N = 28, 50, 82 and 126, but not discernible at N = 20. The transition strengths exhibit maxima at the middle of the major shells except for the region of well-deformed nuclei, where the strengths are appreciably smaller than those for the spherical or vibrational nuclei. The results are compared with the predictions of the interacting boson approximation model (IBA) and with DWBA calculations using form factors deduced from the BCS wave functions.