Evidence for 2f(7/2) neutron strength in the low energy structure of Nd-144,Nd-146,Nd-148,Nd-150 isotopes

The g factors of the 4(1)(+) and 6(1)(+) states in Nd-144.148, the 4(1)(+) state in Nd-146 and the 4(1)(+), 6(1)(+), 8(1)(+) and 10(1)(+) states in Nd -150 have been measured fur the first time by projectile Coulomb excitation combined with the transient field technique. The g factors of the 2(1)(+) states in Nd-144,Nd-146,Nd-148,Nd-150 have been remeasured with very high p recision. A pronounced transition in the structure of these isotopes occurs as neutrons are removed from the rotational Nd-150 and shell closure at N = 82 is approached. The g factors unambiguously reflect the increasing stre ngth of the (2f(7/2))(nu)(n) configuration. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.