Gamma-ray spectroscopy of low-lying states in 56Cr

Nuclear properties of the excited states below 3.2 MeV in 56Cr were studied in the 54Cr(t, pγ)56Cr reaction at E/sub t/ = 2.9 MeV. Reaction-produced protons were detected at 171degree +- 4degree to the beam in coincidence with γ rays. γ-ray angular correlations and branching ratios were measured using an array of five NaI(Tl) crystals, while γ-ray energies and lifetime limits were obtained using a Ge(Li) detector. Spin assignments for some of the excited states were obtained in addition to multipole mixing-ratio information. The results for the excitation energies (keV), spins, and lifetimes (psec) are: 1007.6 +- 1.5, 2, > or =2; 1832.2 +- 2.6, 2, undetermined; 2327.8 +- 2.6, 2, < or =0.08; 2687 +- 13, 1, 2, 3, or 4, undetermined; 3165.6 +- 6.2, 2, 3, or 4, < or =0.3. The results are compared with shell-model calculations