Coulomb excitation of Sn104 and the strength of the Sn100 shell closure

Abstract

A measurement of the reduced transition probability for the excitation of the ground state to the first 2+ state in Sn104 has been performed using relativistic Coulomb excitation at GSI. Sn104 is the lightest isotope in the Sn chain for which this quantity has been measured. The result is a key point in the discussion of the evolution of nuclear structure in the proximity of the doubly magic nucleus Sn100. The value B(E2;0+→2 +)=0.10(4) e2b2 is significantly lower than earlier results for Sn106 and heavier isotopes. The result is well reproduced by shell model predictions and therefore indicates a robust N=Z=50 shell closure. © 2013 American Physical Society.