Spectroscopy of 214Bi and systematics of 210,212,214Pb(0+) long->β-210,212,214Bi(0-)

Experiments designed to provide more information on the spectroscopy of 214Bi, and on 214Pb(β-)214Bi in particular, were undertaken because of interest in first-forbidden β decay in the lead region. The experiments consisted of γ-γ coincidences and angular correlations, conversion electron measurements, level lifetime determinations, and precision γ-ray energy measurements. The 352-keV level of 214Bi was found to be a strong candidate (and the only candidate) for the 01- state. Recent additions to the 214Pb decay scheme are confirmed by γ-γ coincidence measurements. A careful evaluation of the 214Bi level scheme is made with emphasis on separating experimentally based conclusions from speculations based on systematics and other ''weak'' arguments. Shell-model calculations of the spectroscopy of 210,212Bi and 210,212Pb(β-)210,212Bi were performed using a modification of the Kuo-Herling realistic interaction. These calculations and a generalized seniority model provide a basis for an examination of the systematics of the A=210, 212, 214 spectroscopy and β decay. The generalized seniority model is found to be a quite good approximation which provides a quantitative understanding of the 214Pb decay rates