Lifetimes of levels in 54Mn

The Doppler shift attenuation method was used to deduce lifetimes of levels up to 2354 keV excitation in 54Mn, populated by the reaction 54Cr(p,n)54Mn. Branching ratios and level energies have also been determined. Using these lifetimes it was possible to remove the spin ambiguities from some levels and tentatively assign spins to some of those above 1508 keV excitation. A new level at 2291 keV is proposed and the existence of a doublet at 1374 keV is confirmed. An attempt is made to construct a 'best energy level scheme' for levels below 2354 keV excitation. Evidence on the structure of excited states in 54Mn obtained in the present work is compared with data reported by previous investigators. The results are discussed in terms of shell-model calculations of the properties of levels in 54Mn. (Auth.)