Characteristics of energy levels in 54Cr

Nuclear properties of the first 21 excited states of 54Cr were determined with the 51V(α,pγ)54Cr reaction using Eα = 12 MeV. This study covers a full investigation into the energy level structure , branching ratios, mean lifetimes and spin of excited states in the 54 Cr nucleus up to an energy level of 4 042,6 keV. Information upon energies, branching ratios, mean lifetimes and spin of excited states were obtained from proton-gamma coincidence measurements using particle detectors at angles of -29 degrees and +29 degrees respectively and a Ge detector at an angle of 27,5 degrees with respect to the incident beam. Level energies were obtained using the non-coincidence and 90 degrees coincidence gamma spectra. Branching ratios were calculated using the 55 degrees coincidence spectra. The existence or an additional branch from energy level 8 to the ground state was confirmed during this study. A branching ratio was allocated to transitions from energy level 16. This information is unique to this study. Also unique to this study is the branching ratio measured for transitions from energy level 17. Mean lifetimes of excited states of 54Cr were deduced by using the Doppler shift attenuation method. Spin values for the 54Cr nucleus in its excited energy states were determined by comparing the experimental differential cross sections to the predicted differential cross sections from the Hauser-Feshbach theory. 22 figs., 17 tabs., 41 refs