G factors at the first alignment in 84Zr. A search for neutron-proton correlations

Abstract

In a search for predicted effects of the neutron-proton interaction, the g factors of states in the yrast band of 84Zr have been measured up to spin 14ħ using the transient field technique. The measurement probes the region through the first observed alignment at a crossing frequency of 0.48 MeV/ħ. The results clearly demonstrate that the aligning particles are protons rather than a superposition of aligned protons and neutrons as previously suggested; n-p correlations do not appear to influence the nature of the alignment in this nucleus.