Nuclear levels in 228Th populated in the decay of 228Pa (II)

The electron-capture decay of 228Pa to levels in 228Th was studied using mass-separated sources and a γ-ray detection system consisting of five Compton-suppressed Ge detectors. A total of 87 levels were observed up to an excitation energy of 2 MeV which are connected by approximately 500 γ-ray transitions. The complete octupole quadruplet, three excited Kπ=0+ bands and two Kπ=2+ bands were identified below 1.4 MeV. The observed level structure is compared to calculations within the quasiparticle-phonon nuclear model. The surprisingly good agreement indicates that 228Th has less transitional character than hitherto assumed.