Nuclear Spectroscopy of Neutron-Deficient Hg Isotopes

Abstract

In order to extend our knowledge of nuclear level systematics in the Pt-Au-Hg region, neutron deficient isotopes of Hg were produced by high-energy proton bombardment of Au. A technique is described for the analysis of the very complex internal conversion electron spectra present in the decay chains of Hg isotopes produced by $\mathrm{Au}(p, xn)\mathrm{Hg}$ reactions where $n=1\mathrm{} \mathrm{to} 8 or 9$. More or less complete decay chains from Hg to Pt or Ir are postulated for masses 195 to 190 or 189.