Speaker
Geirr Sletten
(NBI University of Copenhagen)
Description
Nuclear structure physics is testing nuclei to the limits of their existence by
imposing extreme values of Isospin, Exitation energy and Angular momentum
on them. In hyperdeformed nuclei the deformation parameter is the central
issue. Theoretical predictions are that nuclei at extreme angular momentum
might acquire shapes with small axis ratio 3:1 and that rotational bands might
exist in the corresponding potential well. Signals from hyperdeformed structures
have been in the experimental focus for more than a decade and whether
the existence of hyperdeformation at high spin has been firmly identified, is
still debated. A recent experiment at ANL using the GAMMASPHERE array
provides preliminary results on hyperdeformation in 124Xe, and forms the basis
for the present report. So far, discrete line rotational bands corresponding to
hyperdeformation have not been identified, but weak signals from the analysis
of unresolved spectra indicate cascades with a moment of inertia 128h2 MeV-1
which is expected for hyperdeformed rotors.
Author
Geirr Sletten
(NBI University of Copenhagen)
