Search for spin-orbit-force reduction at 106,108Zr around r-process path

Shell gap at the magic number N = 82 is important to reproduce the 2nd peak of r-process abundance. If a spin-orbit force is reduced in a very neutron-rich region, a shell quenching at N = 82 and a new shell closure at N = 70 are predicted. A shell evolution by the spin-orbit-force reduction can be searched for through the shape evolution of Zr isotopes around an expected double magic nuclei, 110Zr(Z = 40,N = 70). We performed β-γ and isomer spectroscopy at RIBF to observe low-lying states in 106,108Zr. The present results indicate a well deformed shape for 106,108Zr. The drastic reduction of the spin-orbit force most likely does not occur around 110Zr on an r-process path.