Structure of collective modes in transitional and deformed nuclei. (arXiv:nucl-ex/0502004v3 UPDATED)

The collective structure of atomic nuclei intermediate between spherical and quadrupole deformed structure presents challenges to theoretical understanding. However, models have recently been proposed in terms of potentials which are soft with respect to the quadrupole deformation variable beta. To test these models, information is needed on low-spin states of transitional nuclei. The present work involves measurement of electromagnetic decay properties of low-spin states for nuclei in the A=100 (gamma-soft) and N=90 (axially symmetric) transition regions. Population in beta-decay and thermal neutron capture are used, and measurements are carried out using gamma-ray coincidence spectroscopy, fast electronic scintillation timing, and gamma-ray induced Doppler broadening techniques, in experiments at Yale, TRIUMF ISAC, and the ILL. To facilitate interpretation of these nuclei, a new approach is developed that simplifies the application of the geometric collective model by use of scaling properties. Solutions are also obtained for the E(5) Hamiltonian for finite well depth.