Octupole correlations in neutron-rich145,147Lanuclei: Coriolis-limit-coupling bands with alignedh11/2proton

Abstract

Several new high-spin states are observed in the prompt $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-rays emitted from the neutron-rich, odd-$Z$ ${}^{145,147}\mathrm{La}$ fragments produced in the spontaneous fission of ${}^{252}\mathrm{Cf}.$ Alternating parity bands are extended up to spins 41/2 and 43/2 in ${}^{145,147}\mathrm{La},$ respectively. A new band completes the evidence for two sets of parity doublets expected for octupole correlations. Eight $B(E1)/B(E2)$ ratios (four new) between two bands in ${}^{145}\mathrm{La}$ are all essentially constant and somewhat larger than similar ratios in ${}^{143,144}\mathrm{Ba},$ where stable octupole deformation and/or correlations are reported. The new ratios out of the ${31/2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ levels in both nuclei show a sharp spike compared to other states, presumably from a strong reduction in $E2$ strengths in this backbending region. In ${}^{145}\mathrm{La},$ collective bands show competition and coexistence between symmetric and asymmetric shapes. Band crossings occur in both nuclei around $\ensuremath{\Elzxh}\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\approx}0.26--0.30 \mathrm{MeV}.$ Their backbends are associated with the alignment of two ${i}_{13/2}$ neutrons according to cranked shell model calculations.