Collective and two-quasiparticle states in 158Gd observed through study of radiative neutron capture in 157Gd

The level structure of 158Gd has been studied using the prompt γ-rays and conversion electrons emitted following neutron capture in 157Gd. From the data, a neutron separation energy of 7937.1+-0.5 keV has been determined for 158Gd. A level scheme containing 59 excited states with energies <2.25 MeV, for which de-excitation modes have been identified, is proposed for 158Gd. Many of these states have been grouped into rotational bands. A total of thirteen excited rotational bands with band-head energies below 2.0 MeV are contained in the level scheme. An analysis of (d, p) reaction data is presented which permits definite two-quasiparticle configuration assignments to be made to most of these latter bands. Evidence is presented which suggests strong mixing of some two-neutron and two-proton bands. A phenomenological four-band mixing analysis is made of the energy and E2 transition-probability data for the ground-state band and the three lowest-lying excited collective positive-parity bands. Good agreement with experiment is obtained. A Coriolis-mixing analysis of the octupole bands has been carried out and good agreement with the data on level energies and E1 transition probabilities to the ground-state band has been achieved. Values of Z, the ratio of the E1 transition matrix element with ΔK = 1 to that with ΔK = 0, involving the octupole bands and the first four 0+ bands are derived. For three of these 0+ bands, absolute values of these matrix elements are deduced. An interesting alternation in the sign of Z is observed for these four 0+ bands. (Auth.)