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S. Siem

Publications and source records attributed to S. Siem.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Statistical and non-statistical $\gamma$-decay properties of $^{64}$Zn

We present a study on the $\gamma$-decay properties of $^{64}$Zn using the Oslo method on $^{64}$Zn($p,p^\prime \gamma$) data combined with $^{64}$Zn$(\gamma,n)$ cross-section measurements at the NewSUBARU facility. With the Oslo method, we have measured the $\gamma$-ray strength function ($\gamma$SF) and the nuclear level density (NLD) below the neutron threshold. We observe that the NLD trend in the quasi-continuum region of $^{64}$Zn is best characterized by a constant-temperature-like model. %with temperature parameter $T_{\rm CT}=1.21(5)$ MeV. Surprisingly, we find that $\gamma$-ray transitions from the quasi-continuum decaying directly to the $0^+$ ground state seem to be strongly hindered with a hindrance factor of $\kappa \approx 0.5$, which could be an indication of non-statistical effects in the ground-state decay due to, \textit{e.g.}, differences in nuclear shapes. For $\gamma$ energies above the neutron separation energy, the NewSUBARU ($\gamma, n$) data set probes a significant part of the giant dipole resonance. Furthermore, we find that the Oslo-method $\gamma$SF shows a rather smooth behavior, with a clear low-energy enhancement (LEE) for $E_{\gamma} < 4$ MeV.

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Statistical properties of $^{133}$Xe and the $^{132}$Xe$(n,\gamma)$ cross section

$^{133}$Xe is an interesting case for plasma physics to explore nuclear excitation by electron capture, as the process can be studied using statistical properties of $^{133}$Xe. In this work we present results on $^{133}$Xe from the inverse-Oslo method where we extract the nuclear level density and the $\gamma$-strength function, which is used to calculate the (n,$\gamma$) cross section on $^{132}$Xe. The $\gamma$-strength function of $^{133}$Xe can constrain the estimated decay rate from nuclear excitation by electron capture. The $\mathrm{d}(^{132}\mathrm{Xe},\mathrm{p})^{132}\mathrm{Xe}$ reaction was used to create the compound nucleus $^{133}$Xe, which was recorded with an annular particle telescope and a scintillator array consisting of \la and BGO-shielded HPGe Clover detectors. With the inverse-Oslo method, it is possible to study nuclei that are impossible or unable to manufacture targets from, short lived isotopes, or as in this work, noble gases. We present the extracted nuclear level density, and $\gamma$-strength function for $^{133}$Xe, along with shell-model calculations of the statistical properties of $^{133}$Xe. These are the first statistical properties extracted below 6 MeV for any xenon isotope. We constrain the $^{132}$Xe(n,$\gamma$) $^{133}$Xe cross section and reaction rate using the TALYS reaction code.

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Exploring the statistical properties of the neutron-deficient $^{109}$In isotope with the Oslo method

The nuclear level density (NLD) and the $\gamma$-ray strength function (GSF) of the neutron-deficient $^{109}$In isotope were extracted for the first time with data from the $^{106}$Cd$(\alpha,p\gamma)^{109}$In reaction using a combination of the Oslo and the shape methods. Both quantities are consistent with those of neighboring Cd and Sn nuclei, but show substantial discrepancies with currently available model predictions. In contrast to earlier observations in the neighboring isotopic chains, $^{109}$In does not exhibit any significant enhancement of the dipole strength near the neutron separation energy. To interpret this feature, random-phase time-blocking approximation calculations have been performed for $^{109}$In and the neighboring $^{110,112}$Sn nuclei. The experimental data were also employed to estimate cross sections and rates of the radiative neutron- and proton-capture reactions, $^{108}$In($n,\gamma)$$^{109}$In and $^{108}$Cd($p,\gamma)$$^{109}$In, respectively, with the reaction code TALYS. Our ($p,\gamma)$ cross section is in excellent agreement with direct measurements over a wide range of proton energies, while the ($n,\gamma)$ cross section demonstrates notable deviations from predictions in the JINA REACLIB library. The new results on the statistical properties of $^{109}$In provide valuable constraints that may help address the problem of large model uncertainties compromising the accuracy of astrophysical $p$-process simulations.

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Nuclear excitation functions for medical isotope production: targeted radionuclide therapy via natIr(d,x)193mPt

193mPt is an Auger emitting radionuclide which may have therapeutic potential, particularly when labeled to the chemotherapeutic drug cisplatin. One challenge to broader explorations of its clinical potential is the need for production routes with high specific activity. As part of a larger campaign to address gaps in reaction data for emerging medical radionuclides, this work seeks to characterize the natIr(d,x) reactions as a potential production pathway for 193mPt. A stacked target irradiation, consisting of natural iridium, iron, nickel, and copper foils, was performed using a 33 MeV deuteron beam at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory 88-Inch Cyclotron. This measurement, along with previous experimental data, suggests an energy window between 11 to 18 MeV to maximize the production and radiopurity of 193mPt. This experiment has yielded cross sections for 43 channels of deuteron-induced reactions from threshold to 30 MeV, including the first experimental results of natIr(d,x)188m1+g,190m1+gIr (cumulative), natNi(d,x)56,57,58m,58gCo (independent), natCu(d,x)61Co (cumulative) and natFe(d,x)53Fe, 48V (cumulative). The results were compared with literature data, the TENDL-2023 database, and default theoretical calculations from the TALYS-2.04, CoH-3.6.0, EMPIRE-3.2.3, and ALICE-2020 reaction modeling codes. This work presents another example of the lack of predictive capabilities for this set of modern nuclear-reaction modeling codes, and highlights the unsatisfactory modeling of experimental cross sections. Experimental data are important to improve the codes in general, and new experimental results can be used to improve the models. Finally, this measurement has revealed the need for an updated evaluation of the natCu(d,x)63Zn deuteron monitor reaction.

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Deuteron-induced reactions on natural Zr from threshold to 50 MeV: production of $^{86}$Y

Two stacks of thin Zr foils were irradiated with 30 and 50 MeV deuterons, respectively, using the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory $88$-Inch Cyclotron, to investigate this production pathway for the promising PET tracer $^{86}$Y. Nineteen excitation functions for $^{\text{nat}}$Zr($d$,$x$) reactions were measured over a beam energy range of $6.3$--$47.64$ MeV, where the independent cross sections for $^{\text{nat}}$Zr($d$,$x$)$^{88}$Nb and $^\text{{nat}}$Zr($d$,$x$)$^{86\text{m, g}}$Y were measured for the first time. The well-characterized $^{\text{nat}}$Fe($d$,$x$)$^{56}$Co, $^{\text{nat}}$Ni($d$,$x$)$^{56}$Co, $^{\text{nat}}$Ni($d$,$x$)$^{58}$Co, $^{\text{nat}}$Ni($d$,$x$)$^{61}$Cu, $^{\text{nat}}$Ti($d$,$x$)$^{46}$Sc and $^{\text{nat}}$Ti($d$,$x$)$^{48}$V monitor reactions were used to determine the deuteron beam current throughout the stacks. All cross sections were determined using High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector $\gamma$-ray spectroscopy. A variance minimization technique was employed to simultaneously constrain the deuteron beam currents with multiple monitor reactions, thus reducing systematic uncertainties. An additional $16$ channels are reported for reactions on the nickel, titanium, and iron monitor foils, leading to a total of $35$ excitation functions, with $7$ reaction channels reported for the first time in this work. The measured excitation functions are compared to calculations provided by the reaction modeling codes $\textsc{TALYS}-2.0$, $\textsc{ALICE}-2020$, $\textsc{CoH}-3.5.3$ and $\textsc{EMPIRE}-3.2.3$, as well as the $\textsc{TENDL}-2023$ data library. The degree of agreement between theory and experiments is discussed. The physical yields for $^{\text{nat}}$Zr($d$,$x$)$^{86}$Y and other yttrium isotopes produced are calculated and compared to other production pathways.

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Shape evolution in even-mass $^{98-104}$Zr isotopes via lifetime measurements using the $\gamma\gamma$-coincidence technique

The Zirconium (Z = 40) isotopic chain has attracted interest for more than four decades. The abrupt lowering of the energy of the first $2^+$ state and the increase in the transition strength B(E2; $2_1^\rightarrow 0_1^+$ going from $^{98}$Zr to $^{100}$Zr has been the first example of "quantum phase transition" in nuclear shapes, which has few equivalents in the nuclear chart. Although a multitude of experiments have been performed to measure nuclear properties related to nuclear shapes and collectivity in the region, none of the measured lifetimes were obtained using the Recoil Distance Doppler Shift method in the $\gamma\gamma$-coincidence mode where a gate on the direct feeding transition of the state of interest allows a strict control of systematical errors. This work reports the results of lifetime measurements for the first yrast excited states in $^{98-104}$Zr carried out to extract reduced transition probabilities. The new lifetime values in $\gamma\gamma$-coincidence and $\gamma$-single mode are compared with the results of former experiments. Recent predictions of the Interacting Boson Model with Configuration Mixing, the Symmetry Conserving Configuration Mixing model based on the Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov approach and the Monte Carlo Shell Model are presented and compared with the experimental data.

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A saga on the $\gamma$-decay branching ratio of the Hoyle state

The radiative branching ratio of the Hoyle state is crucial to estimate the triple-$\alpha$ reaction rate in stellar environments at medium temperatures of $T=0.1$ to 2 GK. Knowledge of the $\gamma$-decay channel is critical as this is the dominant radiative decay channel for the Hoyle state. A recent study by Kib\'edi et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 125, 182701 (2020)] has challenged our understanding of this astrophysically significant branching ratio and its constraints. The main purpose was to perform a new measurement of the $\gamma$-decay branching ratio of the Hoyle state to deduce the radiative branching ratio of the Hoyle state, an additional objective was to independently verify aspects of the measurement conducted by Kib\'edi et al. For the primary experiment of this work the Hoyle state was populated by the $^{12}\textrm{C}(p,p')$ reaction at 10.8 MeV at the Oslo Cyclotron Laboratory. The $\gamma$-decay branching ratio was deduced through triple-coincidence events between a proton populating the Hoyle state and the subsequent $\gamma$-ray cascade. An independent analysis of the 2014 data published by Kib\'edi et al. has been carried out. From the main experiment of this work, a $\gamma$-decay branching ratio of the Hoyle state was determined as $\Gamma_{\gamma}^{7.65}/\Gamma^{7.65}=4.0(3)\times 10^{-4}$, yielding a radiative branching ratio of $\Gamma_{\textrm{rad}}/\Gamma=4.1(4) \times 10^{-4}$. The reanalysis of the 2014 experiment in this work yielded $\Gamma_{\gamma}^{7.65}/\Gamma^{7.65}=4.5(6)\times 10^{-4}$, with a radiative branching ratio of $\Gamma_{\textrm{rad}}/\Gamma=4.6(6) \times 10^{-4}$. The measurements of the radiative branching ratio of the Hoyle state in this work is in excellent agreement with several recent studies, as well as the previously adopted ENSDF average of $\Gamma_{\textrm{rad}}/\Gamma=4.16(11)\times 10^{-4}$.

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Understanding the total width of the $3_{1}^{-}$ state in $\mathrm{^{12}C}$

Recent measurements indicate that the previously established upper limit for the $γ$-decay branch of the $3_{1}^{-}$ resonance in $^{12}\textrm{C}$ at $E_{x} = 9.641(5)$ MeV may be incorrect. As a result, the $3_{1}^{-}$ resonance has been suggested as a significant resonance for mediating the triple-$α$ reaction at high temperatures above 2 GK. Accurate estimations of the $3_{1}^{-}$ contribution to the triple-$α$ reaction rate require accurate knowledge of not only the radiative width, but also the total width. In anticipation of future measurements to more accurately determine the $γ$-decay branch of the $3_{1}^{-}$ resonance, the objective of this work is to accurately determine the total width of the $3_{1}^{-}$ resonance. An evaluation was performed on all previous results considered in the current ENSDF average of 46(3) keV for the physical total width (FWHM) of the $3_{1}^{-}$ resonance in $^{12}\textrm{C}$. Significant unaccounted-for uncertainties and a misstated result were discovered in these previous results, leading to an invalid ENSDF average. In this work, the new global \textbf{R}-matrix analysis performed on direct-reaction data yields a formal total width of $Γ(E_{r}) = 46(2)$ keV and an observed total width of $Γ_{\textrm{obs}}(E_{r}) = 38(2)$ keV for the $3_{1}^{-}$ resonance. An observed total width of $Γ_{\textrm{obs}}(E_{r}) = 38(2)$ keV is recommended for the $3_{1}^{-}$ resonance in $\mathrm{^{12}C}$. This observed total width should be employed for future evaluations of the observed total radiative width for the $3_{1}^{-}$ resonance and its contribution to the high-temperature triple-$α$ reaction rate.

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Systematic study of the low-lying electric dipole strength in Sn isotopes and its astrophysical implications

The $γ$-ray strength functions (GSF) and nuclear level densities (NLD) below the neutron threshold have been extracted for $^{111-113,116-122,124}$Sn from particle-$γ$ coincidence data with the Oslo method. The evolution of bulk properties of the low-lying electric dipole response has been investigated on the basis of the Oslo GSF data and results of a recent systematic study of electric and magnetic dipole strengths in even-even Sn isotopes with relativistic Coulomb excitation. The obtained GSFs reveal a resonance-like peak on top of the tail of the isovector giant dipole resonance, centered at $\approx$8 MeV and exhausting $\approx$2\% of the classical Thomas-Reiche-Kuhn (TRK) sum. In contrast to predictions of the relativistic quasiparticle random-phase and time-blocking approximation calculations (RQRPA and RQTBA), no monotonous increase in the total low-lying $E1$ strength was observed in the experimental data from $^{111}$Sn to $^{124}$Sn, demonstrating rather similar strength distributions in these nuclei. The Oslo GSFs and NLDs were further used as inputs to constrain the cross sections and Maxwellian-averaged cross sections of $(n,γ)$ reactions in the Sn isotopic chain using TALYS. The obtained results agree well with other available experimental data and the recommended values from the JINA REACLIB, BRUSLIB, and KADoNiS libraries. Despite relatively small exhausted fractions of the TRK sum rule, the low-lying electric dipole strength makes a noticeable impact on the radiative neutron-capture cross sections in stable Sn isotopes. Moreover, the experimental Oslo inputs for the $^{121,123}$Sn$(n,γ)$$^{122,124}$Sn reactions were found to affect the production of Sb in the astrophysical $i$-process, providing new constraints on the uncertainties of the resulting chemical abundances from multi-zone low-metallicity Asymptotic Giant Branch stellar models.

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Nuclear level densities and $γ-$ray strength functions of $^{111,112,113}$Sn isotopes studied with the Oslo method

The $^{111,112,113}$Sn isotopes have been studied with ($p,d γ$), ($p,p^{\prime} γ$), and ($d,p γ$) reactions to extract the nuclear level densities (NLDs) and $γ$-ray strength functions (GSFs) of these nuclei below the neutron separation energy by means of the Oslo method. The experimental NLDs for all three nuclei demonstrate a trend compatible with the constant-temperature model below the neutron separation energy while also being in good agreement with the NLDs of neighboring Sn isotopes, obtained previously with the Oslo-type and neutron evaporation experiments. The extracted microcanonical entropies yield $\approx 1.5$ $k_B$ entropy of a valence neutron in both $^{111}$Sn and $^{113}$Sn. Moreover, the deduced microcanonical temperatures indeed suggest a clear constant-temperature behavior above $\approx$ 3 MeV in $^{111,113}$Sn and above $\approx$ 4.5 MeV in $^{112}$Sn. We observe signatures for the first broken neutron pairs between 2 and 4 MeV in all three nuclei. The GSFs obtained with the Oslo method are found to be in good agreement below the neutron threshold with the strengths of $^{112,114}$Sn extracted in the ($p,p^{\prime}$) Coulomb excitation experiments.

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Nuclear Level Density and $\gamma$-ray Strength Function of $^{67}\mathrm{Ni}$ and the impact on the i-process

Proton-$\gamma$ coincidences from $(\mathrm{d},\mathrm{p})$ reactions between a $^{66}\mathrm{Ni}$ beam and a deuterated polyethylene target have been analyzed with the inverse-Oslo method to find the nuclear level density (NLD) and $\gamma$-ray strength function ($\gamma$SF) of $^{67}\mathrm{Ni}$. The $^{66}\mathrm{Ni}(n,\gamma)$ capture cross section has been calculated using the Hauser-Feshbach model in TALYS using the measured NLD and $\gamma$SF as constraints. The results confirm that the $^{66}\mathrm{Ni}(n,\gamma)$ reaction acts as a bottleneck when relying on one-zone nucleosynthesis calculations. However, the impact of this reaction is strongly dampened in multi-zone models of low-metallicity AGB stars experiencing i-process nucleosynthesis.

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New experimental constraint on the $^{185}$W($n,γ$)$^{186}$W cross section

In this work, we present new data on the $^{182,183,184}$W($γ,n$) cross sections, utilizing a quasi-monochromatic photon beam produced at the NewSUBARU synchrotron radiation facility. Further, we have extracted the nuclear level density and $γ$-ray strength function of $^{186}$W from data on the $^{186}$W($α,α^\primeγ$)$^{186}$W reaction measured at the Oslo Cyclotron Laboratory. Combining previous measurements on the $^{186}$W($γ,n$) cross section with our new $^{182,183,184}$W($γ,n$) and ($α,α^\primeγ$)$^{186}$W data sets, we have deduced the $^{186}$W $γ$-ray strength function in the range of $1 < E_γ< 6$ MeV and $7 < E_γ< 14$ MeV. Our data are used to extract the level density and $γ$-ray strength functions needed as input to the nuclear-reaction code \textsf{TALYS}, providing an indirect, experimental constraint for the $^{185}$W($n,γ$)$^{186}$W cross section and reaction rate. Compared to the recommended Maxwellian-averaged cross section (MACS) in the KADoNiS-1.0 data base, our results are on average lower for the relevant energy range $k_B T \in [5,100]$ keV, and we provide a smaller uncertainty for the MACS. The theoretical values of Bao \textit{et al.} and the cross section experimentally constrained on photoneutron data of Sonnabend \textit{et al.} are significantly higher than our result. The lower value by Mohr \textit{et al.} is in very good agreement with our deduced MACS. Our new results could have implications for the $s$-process and in particular the predicted $s$-process production of $^{186,187}$Os nuclei.

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Nuclear level densities and $γ$-ray strength functions in $^{120,124}$Sn isotopes: impact of Porter-Thomas fluctuations

Nuclear level densities (NLDs) and $γ$-ray strength functions (GSFs) of $^{120,124}$Sn have been extracted with the Oslo method from proton-$γ$ coincidences in the ($p,p^{\prime}γ)$ reaction. The functional forms of the GSFs and NLDs have been further constrained with the Shape method by studying primary $γ$-transitions to the ground and first excited states.The NLDs demonstrate good agreement with the NLDs of $^{116,118,122}$Sn isotopes measured previously. Moreover, the extracted partial NLD of 1$^{-}$ levels in $^{124}$Sn is shown to be in fair agreement with those deduced from spectra of relativistic Coulomb excitation in forward-angle inelastic proton scattering. The experimental NLDs have been applied to estimate the magnitude of the Porter-Thomas (PT) fluctuations. Within the PT fluctuations, we conclude that the GSFs for both isotopes can be considered to be independent of initial and final excitation energies, in accordance with the generalized Brink-Axel hypothesis. Particularly large fluctuations observed in the Shape-method GSFs present a considerable contribution to the uncertainty of the method, and may be one of the reasons for deviations from the Oslo-method strength at low $γ$-ray energies and low values of the NLD (below $\approx1\cdot10^{3}-2\cdot10^{3}$ MeV$^{-1}$).

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PANDORA project: photo-nuclear reactions below $A=60$

Photo-nuclear reactions of light nuclei below a mass of $A=60$ are studied experimentally and theoretically by the PANDORA (Photo-Absorption of Nuclei and Decay Observation for Reactions in Astrophysics) project. Two experimental methods, virtual-photon excitation by proton scattering and real-photo absorption by a high-brilliance gamma-ray beam produced by laser Compton scattering, will be applied to measure the photo-absorption cross sections and the decay branching ratio of each decay channel as a function of the photon energy. Several nuclear models, e.g. anti-symmetrized molecular dynamics, mean-field type models, a large-scale shell model, and ab initio models, will be employed to predict the photo-nuclear reactions. The uncertainty in the model predictions will be evaluated from the discrepancies between the model predictions and the experimental data. The data and the predictions will be implemented in a general reaction calculation code TALYS . The results will be applied to the simulation of the photo-disintegration process of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays in inter-galactic propagation.

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Evolution of the $γ$-ray strength function in neodymium isotopes

The experimental gamma-ray strength functions (gamma-SFs) of 142,144-151Nd have been studied for gamma-ray energies up to the neutron separation energy. The results represent a unique set of gamma-SFs for an isotopic chain with increasing nuclear deformation. The data reveal how the low-energy enhancement, the scissors mode and the pygmy dipole resonance evolve with nuclear deformation and mass number. The data indicate that the mechanisms behind the low-energy enhancement and the scissors mode are decoupled from each other.

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Investigating the predicted breathing-mode excitation of the Hoyle state

Knowledge of the low-lying monopole strength in $\mathrm{^{12}C}$ $-$ the Hoyle state in particular $-$ is crucial for our understanding of both the astrophysically important $3α$ reaction and of $α$-particle clustering. Multiple theoretical models have predicted a breathing mode of the Hoyle State at $E_{x} \approx 9$ MeV, corresponding to a radial in-phase oscillation of the underlying $α$ clusters. The $\mathrm{^{12}C}(α, α^{\prime})\mathrm{^{12}C}$ and $\mathrm{^{14}C}(p, t)\mathrm{^{12}C}$ reactions were employed to populate states in $^{12}$C in order to search for this predicted breathing mode. A self-consistent, simultaneous analysis of the inclusive spectra with R-matrix lineshapes, together with angular distributions of charged-particle decay, yielded clear evidence for excess monopole strength at $E_{x} \approx 9$ MeV which is highly collective. Reproduction of the experimentally observed inclusive yields using a fit, with consistent population ratios for the various broad states, required an additional source of monopole strength. The interpretation of this additional monopole resonance as the breathing-mode excitation of the Hoyle state would provide evidence supporting a $\mathcal{D}_{3h}$ symmetry for the Hoyle state itself. The excess monopole strength may complicate analysis of the properties of the Hoyle state, modifying the temperature dependence of the $3α$ rate at $T_{9} \gtrsim 2$ and ultimately, the predicted nucleosynthesis in explosive stars.

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Comprehensive test of the Brink-Axel hypothesis in the energy region of the pygmy dipole resonance

The validity of the Brink-Axel hypothesis, which is especially important for numerous astrophysical calculations, is addressed for 116,120,124Sn below the neutron separation energy by means of three independent experimental methods. The $γ$-ray strength functions (GSFs) extracted from primary $γ$-decay spectra following charged-particle reactions with the Oslo method and with the Shape method demonstrate excellent agreement with those deduced from forward-angle inelastic proton scattering at relativistic beam energies. In addition, the GSFs are shown to be independent of excitation energies and spins of the initial and final states. The results provide a critical test of the generalized Brink-Axel hypothesis in heavy nuclei, demonstrating its applicability in the energy region of the pygmy dipole resonance.

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Statistical properties of the well deformed $^{153,155}$Sm nuclei and the scissors resonance

The Nuclear Level Densities (NLDs) and the $γ$-ray Strength Functions ($γ$SFs) of $^{153,155}$Sm have been extracted from (d,p$γ$) coincidences using the Oslo method. The experimental NLD of $^{153}$Sm is higher than the NLD of $^{155}$Sm, in accordance with microscopic calculations. The $γ$SFs of $^{153,155}$Sm are in fair agreement with QRPA calculations based on the D1M Gogny interaction. An enhancement is observed in the $γ$SF for both $^{153,155}$Sm nuclei around 3 MeV in excitation energy and is attributed to the M1 Scissors Resonance (SR). Their integrated strengths were found to be in the range 1.3 - 2.1 and 4.4 - 6.4 $μ^{2}_{N}$ for $^{153}$Sm and $^{155}$Sm, respectively. The strength of the SR for $^{155}$Sm is comparable to those for deformed even-even Sm isotopes from nuclear resonance fluorescence measurements, while that of $^{153}$Sm is lower than expected.

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