Octupole Correlations in the Pu Isotopes: From Vibration to Static Deformation?

Abstract

In a series of measurements with Gammasphere, striking differences were found between the yrast and negative parity bands in ${}^{238--240}\mathrm{Pu}$ and those in ${}^{241--244}\mathrm{Pu}$. These differences can be linked to variations with mass of the strength of octupole correlations. At the highest spins, ${}^{238--240}\mathrm{Pu}$ are found to exhibit properties associated with stable octupole deformation, suggesting that a transition with spin from a vibration to stable deformation may have occurred.