A study of technetium-97 nuclear structure

Hurol Aslan, Purdue University

Abstract

The nuclear structure of $\sp{97}$Tc was studied via the $\sp{96}$Mo($\sp3$He,$pn\gamma)\sp{97}$Tc reaction. The $\gamma$ rays from the nucleus of interest were selected by requiring their coincidences with protons. The $\sp3$He fusion reaction populated most states below 2 MeV, including many non-yrast states. The experiment was performed in three stages: excitation functions, angular distributions, and $\gamma$-$\gamma$ coincidences. Data from all these stages were recorded directly in the computer memory in the form of one or two dimensional spectra. Coincidence data was recorded as a two-dimensional matrix, in its natural form, and was analyzed using two-dimensional functions. A slightly-deformed-rotor model was used to interpret the nuclear structure. The $\sp{97}$Tc nucleus was treated as an odd-proton coupled to a $\sp{96}$Mo core. A rotational Hamiltonian was used for the excitations of the core, while Nilsson wavefunctions were used for the single particle states. Coriolis and recoil terms were taken into account, and a potential energy term arising from changes in the moment of inertia were included.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Simms, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Nuclear physics

COinS