Nuclear structure studies of transitional nuclei. Final report, January 1, 1979-December 31, 1980

The (n,n'#betta#) reaction has been used to syudy systematically the low-lying level structures of stable heavy transitional nuclei. Detailed #betta#-ray excitation functions and angular distibutions have permitted the characeization of low-lyig nuclear states. Particular emphasis has been placed on understanding collective excitations of both positive and negative parity, and questions regarding nuclear shapes, deformation effects, and the applicbility of various nuclear models to these nuclei have been addressed. Completed studies of 194Pt and 198Pt reveal significant structural differences between these nuclei, while in complementary investigations the strucures of 190Os, 192Os, and 200Hg have been examined. Comparisons of IBA and BET calculations with the properties of the positive-parity states are generally favorable, with only the low-lying O+ excitations providing significant inconsistences. Cross section symmematics for the (n,n'#betta#) reaction were explored and, where possible, #betta#-ray studies have been complemented by neutron detection time-of-flight measurements