The dipole response of the N = 50 nucleus 90 Zr was studied in photon-scattering experiments at the electron linear accelerator ELBE with bremsstrahlung produced at kinetic electron energies of 7.9, 9.0, and 13.2 MeV. We identified 189 levels up to an excitation energy of 12.9 MeV. Statistical methods were applied to estimate intensities of inelastic transitions and to correct the intensities of the ground-state transitions for their branching ratios. In this way we derived the photoabsorption cross section up to the neutron-separation energy. This cross section matches well the photoabsorption cross section obtained from (γ, n) data and thus provides information about the extension of the dipole-strength distribution toward energies below the neutron-separation energy. An enhancement of E1 strength has been found in the range of 6 MeV to 11 MeV. Calculations within the framework of the quasiparticle-phonon model ascribe this strength to a vibration of the excessive neutrons against the N = Z neutron-proton core, giving rise to a pygmy dipole resonance.

The dipole response of the magic N = 50 nucleus 88 Sr was studied in photon-scattering experiments at the electron linear accelerator ELBE with bremsstrahlung produced at kinetic electron energies of 9.0, 13.2, and 16.0 MeV. We identified 160 levels up to an excitation energy of 12 MeV. By using polarized photons linear polarizations of about 50 γ transitions were measured that enabled parity assignments to the corresponding states. In the energy range of 6-12 MeV we identified only one M1 transition; all other transitions have E1 character. Thus, E1 character was proven for 63% of the total dipole strength of the observed levels in the given energy range. Statistical methods were applied to estimate intensities of inelastic transitions and to correct the intensities of the ground-state transitions for their branching ratios. In this way we derived the photoabsorption cross section up to the neutron-separation energy. This cross section matches well the photoabsorption cross section obtained from (γ, n) data and thus provides information about the extension of the dipole-strength distribution toward energies below the neutron-separation energy. An enhancement of E1 strength at 6-11 MeV may be considered as an indication for a pygmy dipole resonance.

Photoexcitation of the N = 50 nucleus 89 Y has been performed at the bremsstrahlung facility at the superconducting electron accelerator ELBE at electron energies of E kin e = 9.5 and 13.2 MeV. About 250 levels up to the neutron-separation energy were identified. Statistical methods were applied to estimate intensities of inelastic transitions and to correct the intensities of the ground-state transitions for their branching ratios. The photoabsorption cross section derived in this way up to the neutron-separation energy is combined with the photoabsorption cross section obtained from (γ, n) data and provides information about the extension of the giant dipole resonance toward energies below the neutron-separation energy. An enhancement of E1 strength has been found in the range from about 6 to 11 MeV. The experimental photoabsorption cross sections of 89 Y and of the neighboring N = 50 isotones 88 Sr and 90 Zr are compared with predictions of the quasiparticle-random-phase approximation.

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