Identification of a complete particle-octupole multiplet in 143Nd

Abstract In a high resolution (p,p′) experiment at E =25.5MeV, the complete particle-core coupled multiplet (3 − · f 7 2 ) J in the N =83 143 Nd nucleus has been identified and the spins of its members assigned. The experimental results are discussed in connection with the observed large energy splitting of about 650 keV. The comparison with the corresponding multiplet observed in 146 Gd is a new strong indication for the shell closure at Z =64.