Inelastic scattering of vector polarized deuterons near $E_d=20\mathrm{}$ MeV has been measured for a series of target nuclei ranging from the $\mathrm{sd}$ shell to ${}_{}{}^{232}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Th}$. Isoscalar transition rates deduced from a collective-model analysis are found to be in agreement with the corresponding electromagnetic quantities for the quadrupole and octupole excitations of $T=0\mathrm{}$ nuclei and of ${}_{}{}^{208}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Pb}$. For the quadrupole excitation in ${}_{}{}^{144}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Sm}$, ${}_{}{}^{152}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Sm}$, ${}_{}{}^{154}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Sm}$, and ${}_{}{}^{232}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Th}$ about 20% smaller values are obtained, which imply a larger proton than neutron deformation for these nuclei.

• Received 3 December 1981

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.48.1082