Spin dependence ofKmixing, strong configuration mixing, and electromagnetic properties ofHf178

Abstract

The combined data of two Coulomb excitation experiments has verified the purely electromagnetic population of the K{pi} = 4{sup +}, 6{sup +}, 8{sup -}, and 16{sup +} rotational bands in {sup 178}Hf via 2 {le} {nu} {le} 14 K-forbidden transitions, quantifying the breakdown of the K-selection rule with increasing spin in the low-K bands. The {gamma}{sup -}, 4{sup +}, and 6{sup +} bands were extended, and four new states in a rotational band were tentatively assigned to a previously known K{pi} = 0{sup +} band. The quasiparticle structure of the 6{sup +} (t 1/2 = 77 ns) and 8{sup -} (t 1/2 = 4s) isomer bands were evaluated, showing that the gyromagnetic ratios of the 6{sup +} isomer band are consistent with a pure {pi} 7/2{sup +}[404],{pi} 5/2{sup +}[402] structure. The 8{sup -} isomer band at 1147 keV and the second 8{sup -} band at 1479 keV, thought to be predominantly {nu} 7/2{sup -}[514], {nu} 9/2{sup +}[624] and {pi} 9/2{sup -}[514], {pi}7/2{sup +}[404], respectively, are mixed to a degree approaching the strong-mixing limit. Based on measured matrix elements, it was shown that heavy-ion bombardment could depopulate the 16{sup +}more » isomer at the {approx}1% level, although no states were found that would mediate photodeexcitation of the isomer via low-energy x-ray absorption.« less