Identification and study of a high-spin isomer in Nd-143

The high-spin states of Nd-143 have been studied in Te-130(O-18, 5n) reacti on at a beam energy of 80 MeV. Based on delayed gamma-gamma coincidence, ga mma ray angular distribution,and y ray linear polarization measurements, a high-spin isomer in Nd-143 was identified for the first time with a measure d half-life of (35 +/- 8) ns and J(pi) = 49/2(+). The characteristic of the high-spin isomer in Nd-143 was stressed with a deformed independent partic le model. The model assigned a stretched configuration of [nu(f(7/2)h(9/2)i (13/2))pi(h(11/2)(2))] to the 49/2(+) isomer in Nd-143 As the isomers in th e N = 83 heavier isotones,the occurrence of the 49/2(+) isomer in Nd-143 ca n be interpreted to be caused by the sudden change in nuclear shape along t he yrast line.