Browsing by Author "Makhathini, Lucky Maxwell"

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    The development of a β-decay tape station and the search for vibrations in Ruthenium isotopes
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2021-03) Makhathini, Lucky Maxwell; Bark, R. A.; Papka, Paul; Rohwer, Erich G.; Van Zyl, J. J.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Science. Dept. of Physics.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This work gives details of the new facility that is introduced to iThemba LABS for nuclear structure studies, called the tape station. The technical description of this device is presented along with an experimental demonstration. A user-friendly control system for this device is developed and it can easily be integrated into the existing beam control system for the iThemba LABS beamline line control systems. Two versions of this device were successfully used to conduct experiments. The versatility of this device is demonstrated by performing multiple experiments, one with a shorter half-life and two with long half-lives. A method to produce "short-lived nuclei (radioactive nuclei)" at iThemba LABS is given. The low-lying states of 98,100Ru were investigated using the γ-ray spectroscopy following the β-decay of 98,100Rh. The source of activity for 162Yb was produced using the 147Sm(19F, 4n) reaction while in 98Ru and 100Ru were produced using the 89Y(12C, 3n)98Rh and 89Y(14N, p2n)100Rh, 89Y(14N, 3n)100Pd reactions at beam energies of 45 MeV and 47 MeV, respectively. The results obtained from experimental data are given and analysed. The 162Yb study demonstrated that this device is capable to be used to probe nuclei with shorter half-lives. While for 100Ru the data confirmed the γ-rays observed in the previous measurement, while in 98Ru new γ-rays were observed. The newly assigned γ and 0+2 bands in 98Ru fit well in the systematics of these excitations assigned in the heavier Ru isotopes while 100Ru differs. Beyond-mean-field calculations employing the self-consistent configuration mixing method suggest that the Ru isotopes are triaxiality deformed and shape coexistence occurs around 98Ru.