Eur. Phys. J. Special Topics 150, 183-184 (2007)
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjst/e2007-00298-0

Seeking the phase transition where Cd, Ag, Pd, Rh, and Ru isotopes become “neutron rich”: Isomeric decay in ^125,126,127Cd, ^123,124,125Ag, ¹²¹Pd, ¹²⁰Rh, and ¹¹⁷Ru

¹ National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
² Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
³ Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA

Received: 31 January 2007
Published online: 8 December 2007

Abstract

Gamma rays have been identified in the decay of isomers in ^125,126,127Cd, ^123,124,125Ag, ¹²¹Pd, ¹²⁰Rh, and ¹¹⁷Ru that provide information about the low-energy structures of these nuclei. In turn, comparison of low-energy levels in the Cd and Te isotones reveals that, whereas the yrast structures in the Te isotopes rise smoothly as N approaches the closed shell at 82, the 15/2^- to 11/2^- transitions level off as N exceeds 76. This is identified as the point where the Cd isotopes undergo a phase transition and become “neutron rich”.