19/2+ isomer of 125Cd and realistic shell-model calculations of neutron-rich Cd isotopes

The decay of a T1/2 = 19(3) μs isomeric state from 125Cd has been observed using γ-ray spectroscopy at the Lohengrin mass spectrometer of the Institut Laue-Langevin, Grenoble. Two coincident γ rays were observed to be emitted from the decay of this isomeric state, contradicting recently published data on this nucleus. Realistic shell-model calculations have been performed to interpret the decay scheme, allowing a spin and parity of 19/2+ to be assigned to the isomeric state. All configurations contributing to this isomeric state have amplitudes less than 7 %. Experimental data have recently been published on the decays of μs isomeric states in 127,128,130Cd. Realistic shell-model calculations for these nuclei are presented which reproduce the known experimental decay schemes reasonably well.