Competition between Allowed and First-Forbidden β Decay: The Case of ^{208}Hg→^{208}Tl

The β decay of ^{208}Hg into the one-proton hole, one neutron-particle _{81}^{208}Tl_{127} nucleus was investigated at CERN-ISOLDE. Shell-model calculations describe well the level scheme deduced, validating the proton-neutron interactions used, with implications for the whole of the N>126, Z<82 quadrant of neutron-rich nuclei. While both negative and positive parity states with spin 0 and 1 are expected within the Q_{β} window, only three negative parity states are populated directly in the β decay. The data provide a unique test of the competition between allowed Gamow-Teller and Fermi, and first-forbidden β decays, essential for the understanding of the nucleosynthesis of heavy nuclei in the rapid neutron capture process. Furthermore, the observation of the parity changing 0^{+}→0^{-}β decay where the daughter state is core excited is unique, and can provide information on mesonic corrections of effective operators.

Towards high-resolution laser ionization spectroscopy of the heaviest elements in supersonic gas jet expansion

Resonant laser ionization and spectroscopy are widely used techniques at radioactive ion beam facilities to produce pure beams of exotic nuclei and measure the shape, size, spin and electromagnetic multipole moments of these nuclei. However, in such measurements it is difficult to combine a high efficiency with a high spectral resolution. Here we demonstrate the on-line application of atomic laser ionization spectroscopy in a supersonic gas jet, a technique suited for high-precision studies of the ground- and isomeric-state properties of nuclei located at the extremes of stability. The technique is characterized in a measurement on actinium isotopes around the N=126 neutron shell closure. A significant improvement in the spectral resolution by more than one order of magnitude is achieved in these experiments without loss in efficiency.

1p3/2 proton-hole state in 132Sn and the shell structure along N = 82

A low-lying state in 131In82, the one-proton hole nucleus with respect to double magic 132Sn, was observed by its γ decay to the Iπ=1/2- β-emitting isomer. We identify the new state at an excitation energy of Ex=1353  keV, which was populated both in the β decay of 131Cd83 and after β-delayed neutron emission from 132Cd84, as the previously unknown πp3/2 single-hole state with respect to the 132Sn core. Exploiting this crucial new experimental information, shell-model calculations were performed to study the structure of experimentally inaccessible N=82 isotones below 132Sn. The results evidence a surprising absence of proton subshell closures along the chain of N=82 isotones. The consequences of this finding for the evolution of the N=82 shell gap along the r-process path are discussed.

Coulomb excitation of 104Sn and the strength of the 100Sn shell closure

A measurement of the reduced transition probability for the excitation of the ground state to the first 2+ state in 104Sn has been performed using relativistic Coulomb excitation at GSI. 104Sn is the lightest isotope in the Sn chain for which this quantity has been measured. The result is a key point in the discussion of the evolution of nuclear structure in the proximity of the doubly magic nucleus 100Sn. The value B(E2; 0+ → 2+) = 0.10(4) e2b2 is significantly lower than earlier results for 106Sn and heavier isotopes. The result is well reproduced by shell model predictions and therefore indicates a robust N = Z = 50 shell closure.

[Progredient "pulmonary thromboembolism" in spite of sufficient anticoagulant therapy?]

HISTORY AND ADMISSION FINDINGS

A 43-year-old woman presented with persistent dry cough and exertional dyspnoea for about 6 months. An outpatient CT scan of the chest led to the diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolism.

INVESTIGATIONS

The echocardiography showed signs of right ventricular load. Phlebothrombosis, thrombophilia or an active malignant disease were excluded.

TREATMENT AND COURSE

An anticoagulant therapy was started in the hemodynamically stable patient. She was discharged in good condition. Four weeks later the patient was readmitted with worsening of symptoms. The CT scan showed progression of the findings in spite of sufficient anticoagulant therapy. Echocardiography revealed an increase of the right ventricular load. A systemic thrombolysis with 100 mg alteplase followed, but without any change. Subsequently, the suspicion of an intraluminal growing tumorous mass was confirmed. A tumor-endarterectomy with reconstruction of the left pulmonary artery together with a pericardial patch and an extensive pneumonectomy on the right were performed. Histopathologically and immunohistochemically a pulmonary artery sarcoma with the differentiation of a leiomyosarcoma was diagnosed.

CONCLUSION

The primary pulmonary artery sarcoma is a rare disease and pulmonary thromboembolism must be considered for differential diagnosis. In the CT scan a low-attenuation filling defect occupying the entire luminal diameter of the pulmonary artery, expansion of the involved arteries or extraluminal tumor extension can lead to a suspected diagnosis. Furthermore in case of a progression of the findings under sufficient anticoagulant therapy a primary pulmonary sarcoma has to be considered as differential diagnosis. Complete surgical resection offers the only chance of cure.

16+ spin-gap isomer in 96Cd

A β-decaying high-spin isomer in (96)Cd, with a half-life T(1/2)=0.29(-0.10)(+0.11) s, has been established in a stopped beam rare isotope spectroscopic investigations at GSI (RISING) experiment. The nuclei were produced using the fragmentation of a primary beam of (124)Xe on a (9)Be target. From the half-life and the observed γ decays in the daughter nucleus, (96)Ag, we conclude that the β-decaying state is the long predicted 16(+) "spin-gap" isomer. Shell-model calculations, using the Gross-Frenkel interaction and the πν(p(1/2),g(9/2)) model space, show that the isoscalar component of the neutron-proton interaction is essential to explain the origin of the isomer. Core excitations across the N=Z=50 gaps and the Gamow-Teller strength, B(GT) distributions have been studied via large-scale shell-model calculations using the πν(g,d,s) model space to compare with the experimental B(GT) value obtained from the half-life of the isomer.

Observation of isomeric decays in the r-process waiting-point nucleus 130Cd82

The gamma decay of excited states in the waiting-point nucleus (130)Cd(82) has been observed for the first time. An 8(+) two-quasiparticle isomer has been populated both in the fragmentation of a (136)Xe beam as well as in projectile fission of 238U, making (130)Cd the most neutron-rich N = 82 isotone for which information about excited states is available. The results, interpreted using state-of-the-art nuclear shell-model calculations, show no evidence of an N = 82 shell quenching at Z = 48. They allow us to follow nuclear isomerism throughout a full major neutron shell from (98)Cd(50) to (130)Cd(82) and reveal, in comparison with (76)Ni(48) one major proton shell below, an apparently abnormal scaling of nuclear two-body interactions.

Observation of 54Ni: cross-conjugate symmetry in f7/2 mirror energy differences

Gamma decays from excited states up to Jpi=6+ in the N=Z-2 nucleus 54Ni have been identified for the first time. Level energies are compared with those of the isobars 54Co and 54Fe and of the cross-conjugate nuclei of mass A=42. The good but puzzling f7/ cross-conjugate symmetry in mirror and triplet energy differences is analyzed. Shell model calculations reproduce the new data but the necessary nuclear charge-dependent phenomenology is not fully explained by modern nucleon-nucleon potentials.

Enhanced core polarization in (70)Ni and (74)Zn

The reduced transition probabilities B(E2;0(+) --> 2(+)(1)) of the neutron-rich (74)Zn and (70)Ni nuclei have been measured by Coulomb excitation in a (208)Pb target at intermediate energy. These nuclei have been produced at Grand Accélérateur National d'Ions Lourds via interactions of a 60A MeV (76)Ge beam with a Be target. The B(E2) value for (70)Ni(42) is unexpectedly large, which indicates that neutrons added above N=40 strongly polarize the Z=28 proton core. In the Zn isotopic chain, the steep rise of B(E2) values beyond N=40 continues up to (74)Zn(44). The enhanced proton core polarization in (70)Ni is attributed to the monopole interaction between the neutron in the g(9/2) and protons in the f(7/2) and f(5/2) spin-orbit partner orbitals. This interaction could result in a weakening of magicity in (78)Ni(50).

Stress cardiomyopathy mimicking acute coronary syndrome: case presentation and review of the literature

Stress cardiomyopathy is a novel clinical syndrome affecting predominantly elderly female patients. It is characterized by severe reversible left ventricular dysfunction demonstrating a peculiar pattern of extensive apical wall motion abnormality known as "apical ballooning". The syndrome is typically precipitated by acute severe emotional, psychological or physical stress. It mimics acute coronary syndrome exhibiting typical clinical and electrocardiographic features of acute myocardial infarction. At angiography, however, significant coronary artery disease is invariably excluded. In the acute phase, the syndrome may be complicated by cardiogenic shock or ventricular fibrillation. Clinical data indicate that the disease is associated with an extensive increase of endogenous cathecholamine levels which may exhibit a direct toxic effect on the myocytes causing non-ischemic myocardial "stunning". This mechanism may have important implications for the management of patients in the acute phase of the disease. The prognosis of stress cardiomyopathy, however, seems favorable with recovery of global and regional myocardial function within a few weeks in the vast majority of patients. Yet, long-term outcome data in larger patient populations are lacking. We report the case of a female patient presenting with stress cardiomyopathy and review the current knowledge of the disease.

Observation of proton radioactivity of the (21+) high-spin isomer in 94Ag

We have observed direct one-proton decay of the (21+) isomer in the N=Z nuclide 94Ag into high-spin states in 93Pd by detecting protons in coincidence with gamma-gamma correlations and applying gamma gates based on known 93Pd levels. Two decay branches have been identified, with proton energies of 0.79(3) and 1.01(3) MeV and branching ratios of 1.9(5)% and 2.2(4)%, respectively. The corresponding partial half-life values are 21(6) and 18(4) s. The Q value of the direct proton decay of the (21+) isomer was found to be 5.78(3) MeV. The very small reduced widths of the observed proton decays might reflect dominating collective configurations in the (21+) isomer, and the fine structure of the proton spectrum might indicate a strong deformation of this state.

(68)(28)Ni(40): Magicity versus superfluidity

The neutron-rich (66,68)Ni have been produced at GANIL via interactions of a 65.9A MeV 70Zn beam with a 58Ni target. Their reduced transition probability B(E2;0(+)(1)-->2+) has been measured for the first time by Coulomb excitation in a (208)Pb target at intermediate energy. The B(E2) value for (68)Ni(40) is unexpectedly small. An analysis in terms of large scale shell model calculations stresses the importance of proton core excitations to reproduce the B(E2) values and indicates the erosion of the N = 40 harmonic-oscillator subshell by neutron-pair scattering.

Coulomb energy differences in t = 1 mirror rotational bands in (50)Fe and (50)Cr

Gamma rays from the N = Z-2 nucleus (50)Fe have been observed, establishing the rotational ground state band up to the state J(pi) = 11+ at 6.994 MeV excitation energy. The experimental Coulomb energy differences, obtained by comparison with the isobaric analog states in its mirror (50)Cr, confirm the qualitative interpretation of the backbending patterns in terms of successive alignments of proton and neutron pairs. A quantitative agreement with experiment has been achieved by exact shell model calculations, incorporating the differences in radii along the yrast bands, and properly renormalizing the Coulomb matrix elements in the pf model space.

Isomer spectroscopy in (216)(90)Th(126) and the magicity of (218)(92)U(126)

Excited states in (216)Th were investigated via prompt and delayed gamma decays and the recoil-decay tagging method. The decay schemes of the I(pi) = (8+), t(1/2) = 128(8) micros, the I(pi) = (11-), t(1/2) = 615(55) ns, and the I(pi) = (14+), t(1/2) > or = 130 ns isomers were established. The configuration pi h(9/2)f(7/2) is assigned to the I(pi) = (8+) isomer, which implies that the h(9/2) and f(7/2) states are nearly degenerate. This is ascribed to increased binding of the f(7/2) orbital by its coupling to a low-lying I(pi) = (3-) state at E(x) = 1687 keV. The role of octupole and pairing correlations for a Z = 92 shell closure prediction is discussed on the basis of shell model calculations.