Inelastic scattering of helions from even-even stable samarium isotopes at 40.9 MeV

The cross sections of helion scattering leading to the ground state and the first four to six excited states of the even-even stable samarium isotopes were measured at an incident energy of 40.9 MeV. The results are analysed in terms of the strong coupling approximation assuming the 144148Sm, 150Sm and 152154Sm nuclei to be harmonic vibrators, an asymmetric rotator and symmetric rotators respectively. A systematic study was carried out to deduce the 2sup(lambda = 2,3,4,6) pole deformation parameters and a single common optical-model potential for this nuclear range. A description of the elastic and inelastic scattering cross section is given in the framework of the coupled-channels theory and the collective model; the importance of multistep process in inelastic scattering is emphasized. (Auth.)