The neutron-deficient mercury isotopes, ${}^{184,186}\mathrm{Hg}$, were studied with the recoil distance Doppler-shift method using the Gammasphere array and the Köln plunger device. The differential decay curve method was employed to determine the lifetimes of the yrast states in ${}^{184,186}\mathrm{Hg}$. An improvement on previously measured values of yrast states up to $8^{+}$ is presented as well as first values for the $9_3$ state in ${}^{184}\mathrm{Hg}$ and ${10}^{+}$ state in ${}^{186}\mathrm{Hg}$. $B\left(E2\right)$ values are calculated and compared to a two-state mixing model which utilizes the variable moment of inertia model, allowing for extraction of spin-dependent mixing strengths and amplitudes.

• Received 8 November 2013
• Revised 20 January 2014

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.89.024307