Levels of 159Gd populated in average resonance neutron capture

Abstract

The primary γ-rays and energy levels in 159Gd were investigated in average resonance neutron capture using tailored neutron beams at 2 keV and 24 keV and a pair spectrometer at the high flux reactor at Brookhaven. Nearly 200 levels with spin up to 5 2 are reported below 3 MeV. The distribution of radiative strength in this nucleus was obtained and is compared with a giant dipole resonance and single-particle strength models. The density of observed levels was determined and is described in terms of the constant temperature Fermi gas model. The neutron binding energy in 159Gd was determined to be 5943.32(12) keV.