PPCO: polarization-polarization correlation from oriented nuclei

The correlation between linear polarization of one gamma-ray quantum and po larization of the next gamma-ray quantum emitted in a cascade from an orien ted nucleus is discussed. This correlation forms the basis for developing t he PPCO method which, in principle, can determine spins, parities and multi polarities. The method is particularly useful when gamma rays are produced in heavy ion reactions, ensuring a high spin alignment. The paper presents an experimental test of the PPCO method and the results suggest, that this method can be applied with success in modern gamma-ray spectroscopy in whic h a large number of detectors are sensitive to the polarization (e.g. the C LOVER detectors). When this method is combined with an angular correlation analysis, the number of the possibilities concerning spins, parities and mu ltipolarity sequences can be reduced significantly. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scien ce B.V. All rights reserved.