Nuclear level density and γ-ray strength function of 43 Sc

The nuclear level density and the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray strength function have been determined for ${}^{43}\mathrm{Sc}$ in the energy range up to 2 MeV below the neutron separation energy using the Oslo method with the $46\mathrm{Ti}$$(p,\ensuremath{\alpha})$${}^{43}\mathrm{Sc}$ reaction. A comparison to ${}^{45}\mathrm{Sc}$ shows that the level density of ${}^{43}\mathrm{Sc}$ is smaller by an approximately constant factor of two. This behavior is well reproduced in a microscopic, combinatorial model calculation. The $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray strength function increases at low $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray energies, a feature which has been observed in several nuclei but which still awaits theoretical explanation.