Cluster model investigation of 233U

Abstract

We model the odd-neutron nucleus 233U as a 208Pb+ 24Ne+n system. The odd neutron occupies 1g 9 2 , 0i 11 2 , 0j 15 2 , 2d 5 2 , 3s 1 2 , 1g 7 2 and 2d 3 2 states with energies taken from the known spectrum of 209Pb, while the 24Ne cluster occupies 0 +, 2 +, 4 + …, and 1 −, 3 −, 5 − …, states whose energies are taken from the known levels of 232U. The 24Ne-n interaction mixes together the various combinations of neutron and 24Ne orbital motion states coupled to total angular momentum I. The Pauli principle is satisfied by excluding the odd neutron from orbitals above the 208Pb Fermi surface already occupied by neutrons in the 24Ne cluster. We predict many low-lying parity doublet bands whose properties are in overall agreement with observation.