Location of the two-particle states in the nucleus 242Np

The band-head energies of the two quasiparticle states in the neutron rich doubly odd deformed nucleus 24293NP149 are calculated using a zero range residual n-p interaction based on earlier similar calculations for the isotopic nucleus 238Np and the isotonic nucleus 244Am. The results are compared with the available experimental information. It is concluded that the 5.5 min isomer is the ground state of this nucleus with spin parity 6- corresponding to the Nilsson configuration (5/2-[523down]sub(p); 7/2+[624down]sub(n)) whereas the 2.2 min 1+ isomer corresponding to the configuration (5/2+[642up]sub(p); 7/2+[624down]sub(n)) lies at an excitation of 40+-25 keV. Location of several other low-lying two-particle states is predicted. (Auth.)