Resonances in odd-odd¹⁸²Ta

Abstract

Abstract. Enhanced γ -decay on the tail of the giant electric dipole resonance, such as the scissors or pygmy resonances, can have significant impact on (n,γ ) reaction rates. These rates are important input for modeling processes that take place in astrophysical environments and nuclear reactors. Recent results from the University of Oslo indicate the existence of a significant enhancement in the photon strength function for nuclei in the actinide region due to the scissors resonance. Further, the M1 strength distribution of the scissors resonances in rare earth nuclei has been studied extensively over the years. To investigate the evolution and persistence of the scissor resonance in other mass regions, an experiment was performed utilizing the NaI(Tl) γ -ray detector array (CACTUS) and silicon particle telescopes (SiRi) at the University of Oslo Cyclotron laboratory. Particle-γ coincidences from the 181 Ta(d,p) 182 Ta and 181 Ta(d,d') 181 Ta reactions were used to measure the nuclear level density and photon strength function of the well-deformed 181 Ta and 182 Ta systems, to investigate the existence of resonances below the neutron separation energy.