Collective bands in ^104,106,108Mo

Abstract

We have used our analysis of γ-γ-γ data (5.7 × 10¹¹ triples and higher folds) taken with Gammasphere from prompt γ rays emitted in the spontaneous fission of ²⁵²Cf to study the collective bands in ^104,106,108Mo. The one-phonon and two-phonon γ-vibrational bands and known two-quasiparticle bands in neutron-rich ^104,106Mo were extended to higher spins. The one-and two-phonon γ-vibrational bands have remarkably close energies for transitions from the same spin states and identical moments of inertia. Several new bands are observed and are proposed as quasiparticle bands in ^104,106Mo, along with the first β-type vibrational band in ¹⁰⁶Mo. The quasiparticle bands have essentially constant moments of inertia near the rigid-body value that indicate blocking of the pairing interaction. Candidates for chiral doublet bands in ¹⁰⁶Mo are strong. These are the first reported chiral vibrational bands in an even-even nucleus.