Two-phonon character of the lowest {ital J}{sup {pi}}=1{sup {minus}} state of {sup 142}Nd

The decay properties of the 3424-keV 1{sup {minus}} state in {sup 142}Nd, which has long been interpreted as a member of the quadrupole-octupole two-phonon quintet, and of the lowest 3{sup {minus}} state, the octupole phonon, have been examined with the ({ital n},{ital n}{prime}{gamma}) reaction. {gamma}-ray branching ratios of these states have been determined, and level lifetimes have been measured by the Doppler-shift attenuation method. These data provide strong support for interpreting the 1{sup {minus}} state as having a significant two-phonon 2{sup +}{direct_product}3{sup {minus}} component.