Conversion electron spectroscopy at the fragment mass analyzer focal plane: Studies of isomeric decays near the proton drip line.

Abstract

The decays of seniority isomers in the N=82 nuclei $^{150}\mathrm{Er}$ and $^{152}\mathrm{Yb}$ and in their respective N=81 isotopes $^{149}\mathrm{Er}$ and $^{151}\mathrm{Yb}$ were studied following mass separation by the Argonne Fragment Mass Analyzer. Conversion electrons were detected with Si p-i-n diodes operated at room temperature. The low-energy isomeric transitions in $^{151,152}\mathrm{Yb}$ have been observed for the first time in the electron spectra. Multipolarity assignments were made for many of the decay \ensuremath{\gamma} rays of the four nuclei.