Photon strength functions studied with the method of two-step cascades

Abstract

The method of two-step γ cascades, following the thermal neutron capture, has proved to be a promising tool for investigation of photon strength functions in the region of transition energies near 3 MeV. Using this method we studied behavior of photon strength functions in 108Ag, 116In, 125Te, 144,146Nd, 150Sm, 156,158Gd, 163Dy and 168Er. Besides the detailed information for individual nuclei a large amount of experimental data allows us to look for general trends in the mass region incorporating spherical, transitional and deformed nuclei. Despite continuing systematic study on other nuclei, some general conclusions could already be done.