Detailed α -decay study of Tl 180

Abstract

A detailed α-decay spectroscopy study of Tl180 has been performed at ISOLDE (CERN). Z-selective ionization by the Resonance Ionization Laser Ion Source (RILIS) coupled to mass separation provided a high-purity beam of Tl180. Fine-structure α decays to excited levels in the daughter Au176 were identified and an α-decay scheme of Tl180 was constructed based on an analysis of α-γ and α-γ-γ coincidences. Multipolarities of several γ-ray transitions deexciting levels in Au176 were determined. Based on the analysis of reduced α-decay widths, it was found that all α decays are hindered, which signifies a change of configuration between the parent and all daughter states.