Precise Coulomb ExcitationB(E2)Values for First2+States of the Actinide Nuclei

Abstract

Precise transition probabilities have been measured for the first $2^{+}$ states of ${}_{}{}^{230,232}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Th}$, ${}_{}{}^{234,236,238}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{U}$, ${}_{}{}^{238,240,242,244}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Pu}$, ${}_{}{}^{244,246,248}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Cm}$, and ${}_{}{}^{252}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Cf}$ by Coulomb excitation with 17- and 18-MeV $\alpha$ particles. Comparison is made with theoretical values. An excitation energy of 44.0 ± 0.5 keV was measured for the first excited level of ${}_{}{}^{252}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Cf}$.