Collective structure in 94Zr and subshell effects in shape coexistence

Phys Rev Lett. 2013 Jan 11;110(2):022504. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.022504. Epub 2013 Jan 9.

Abstract

Based on results from a measurement of weak decay branches observed following the β- decay of 94Y and on lifetime data from a study of 94Zr by inelastic neutron scattering, collective structure is deduced in the closed-subshell nucleus 94Zr. These results establish shape coexistence in 94Zr. The role of subshells for nuclear collectivity is suggested to be important.