Levels ofCm246from theβ−-Decay SequencePu246(11 days)Am246m(25 min)Cm246

Abstract

$^{246}\mathrm{Pu}$ produced by multiple neutron capture during an underground explosion was recovered and subjected to extensive chemical separations. $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays in the decay sequence $^{246}\mathrm{Pu}({\ensuremath{\beta}}^{\ensuremath{-}})\ensuremath{-}^{246m}\mathrm{Am}({\ensuremath{\beta}}^{\ensuremath{-}})^{246}\mathrm{Cm}$ were investigated by use of several Ge(Li) detectors. In all, 158 $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays were observed, up to 2.2 MeV. Of these, 114 were ascribed to the decay of $^{246m}\mathrm{Am}$. A decay scheme was deduced, including 37 levels. Bands in $^{246}\mathrm{Cm}$ have been identified with the following bandhead energies: $\mathrm{g}.\mathrm{s}.{K}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}={0}^{+}$; 841.70 keV ${K}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}={2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, octupole; 1078.90 keV ${K}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}={1}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, octupole; 1124.42 keV ${K}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}={2}^{+}$, $\ensuremath{\gamma}$; 1249.81 keV ${K}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}=({0}^{\ensuremath{-}}, \mathrm{octupole})$; 1348.89 keV ${K}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}={1}^{\ensuremath{-}}$; 1452.06 keV ${K}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}=({1}^{+})$; 1593.80 keV ${K}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}={2}^{(\ensuremath{-})}$; 1604.31 keV ${K}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}={1}^{\ensuremath{-}}$.