Superdeformation, hyperdeformation and clustering in the actinide region

Excited states in the second minimum of Pu-240 were populated by the U-238( alpha, 2n) reaction at E-alpha=25 MeV. Conversion electrons from electromag netic transitions preceding the fission of the 3.7 ns Pu-240f Shape isomer have been measured. In a combined analysis of e(-) and high resolution gamm a -ray spectroscopy data previously established octupole bands could be stu died in more detail. In order to study higher lying states in the second an d third minimum the Pu-239(d,pf)Pu-240, and the U-233(d,pf)U-234 reactions have been studied with high energy resolution. The observed fission resonan ces were described as members of rotational bands with rotational parameter s characteristic to super- and hyperdeformed nuclear shapes. The level dens ity of the most strongly excited states has been compared to the prediction of the back-shifted Fermi-gas formula and the energy of the ground state i n third minimum has been estimated for the first time in U-234. The fission fragment mass distribution of the hyperdeformed states in U-236 has also b een measured. The width of the mass distribution, coincident with the hyper deformed bands, is significantly smaller than the ones obtained in coincide nce with background regions below and above the resonances, which suggests a pear-shaped di-nuclear configuration of U-236 in the third well of the po tential barrier.