gamma-ray spectroscopy approaching the limits of existence of atomic nuclei : A study of the excited states of Pt-168 and Pt-169
Excited states in the N=90 and N=91 Pt nuclei have been investigated using the JUROGAM and GREAT spectrometers in conjunction with the RITU gas-filled separator. These nuclei were populated via the reactions {sup 92}Mo({sup 78}Kr,2n) and {sup 94}Mo({sup 78}Kr,3n) at 335 and 348 MeV, respectively. The recoil-decay tagging technique has been used to correlate prompt {gamma} radiation with the characteristic {alpha} decays of {sup 168}Pt and {sup 169}Pt. A {gamma}-{gamma} analysis has allowed a level scheme for {sup 168}Pt to be reported for the first time and the level scheme for {sup 169}Pt to be extended. The excitation energies of the proposed positive-parity yrast states of {sup 168}Pt are compared with calculations based on the interacting boson model and found to be in excellent agreement. These data show a continuation of the trend toward vibrational nuclei as the N=82 shell gap is approached. In addition, new excited states constituting two decay paths have been discovered in {sup 169}Pt.

title: Identification of the Kpi=8- rotational band in 138Gd

title: Spectroscopy of Ho-144 using recoil-isomer tagging
abstract: Excited states in the proton-unbound odd-odd nucleus {sup 144}Ho have been populated using the {sup 92}Mo({sup 54}Fe,pn){sup 144}Ho reaction and studied using the recoil-isomer-tagging technique. The alignment properties and signature splitting of the rotational band above the I{sup p}i=(8{sup +}){sup 144m}Ho isomer have been analyzed and the isomer confirmed to have a pih{sub 11/2} x nuh{sub 11/2} two-quasiparticle configuration. The configuration-constrained blocking method has been used to calculate the shapes of the ground and isomeric states, which are both predicted to have triaxial nuclear shapes with |gamma|approx =24 deg.

title: Gamma-ray spectroscopy at the limits: first observation of rotational bands in 255Lr.
abstract: The rotational band structure of 255Lr has been investigated using advanced in-beam gamma-ray spectroscopic techniques. To date, 255Lr is the heaviest nucleus to be studied in this manner. One rotational band has been unambiguously observed and strong evidence for a second rotational structure was found. The structures are tentatively assigned to be based on the 1/2-[521] and 7/2-[514] Nilsson states, consistent with assignments from recently obtained alpha decay data. The experimental rotational band dynamic moment of inertia is used to test self-consistent mean-field calculations using the Skyrme SLy4 interaction and a density-dependent pairing force.

title: High-K four-quasiparticle states in Gd-138
abstract: States above the known K(pi) = 8(-) 6 mu s isomer in (138)Gd have been populated with the (106)Cd((36)Ar,2p2n) reaction at a beam energy of 180 MeV at the University of Jyvaskyla, Finland. The recoil-isomer tagging technique was utilized to correlate delayed gamma-ray decays, detected in the GREAT focal plane spectrometer, with prompt decays measured in the JUROGAM II spectrometer at the target position. The lifetime of the K(pi) = 8(-) isomeric state has been remeasured as 6.2(2) mu s. Two high-lying strongly coupled bands have been established with K(pi) >= 12(-). Potential-energy surface calculations, in conjunction with g factor measurements, reveal that they are built upon four-quasiparticle structures comprising two-quasineutron plus two-quasiproton configurations. The short half-life or lack of hindrance for the decays from these four-quasiparticle band-head states is reasoned to be a consequence of increased triaxial deformation and mixing due to the high density of states relative to the lower two-quasiparticle 6-mu s isomeric state.

title: alpha decay of Re159 and proton emission from Ta155

title: Charge Independent(CI) and Charge Dependent(CD) correlations as a function of Centrality formed from Delta phi imum Delta eta Charged Pair Correlations in Minimum Bias Au+Au Collisions at s(NN)**(1/2) = 200-GeV

title: Charged-particle multiplicity measurement in proton–proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}=0.9$ and 2.36 TeV with ALICE at LHC
abstract: Charged-particle production was studied in proton–proton collisions collected at the LHC with the ALICE detector at centre-of-mass energies 0.9 TeV and 2.36 TeV in the pseudorapidity range |η|<1.4. In the central region (|η|<0.5), at 0.9 TeV, we measure charged-particle pseudorapidity density $\mathrm{d}N_{\mathrm{ch}}/\mathrm{d}\eta=3.02\pm 0.01(\mathit{stat.})^{+0.08}_{-0.05}(\mathit{syst.})$ for inelastic interactions, and $\mathrm{d}N_{\mathrm{ch}}/\mathrm{d}\eta=3.58\pm0.01(\mathit{stat.})^{+0.12}_{-0.12}(\mathit{syst.})$ for non-single-diffractive interactions. At 2.36 TeV, we find $\mathrm{d}N_{\mathrm{ch}}/\mathrm{d}\eta=3.77\pm0.01(\mathit{stat.})^{+0.25}_{-0.12}(\mathit{syst.})$ for inelastic, and $\mathrm{d}N_{\mathrm{ch}}/\mathrm{d}\eta=4.43\pm0.01(\mathit{stat.})^{+0.17}_{-0.12}(\mathit{syst.})$ for non-single-diffractive collisions. The relative increase in charged-particle multiplicity from the lower to higher energy is $24.7\%\pm0.5\%(\mathit{stat.})^{+5.7}_{-2.8}\%(\mathit{syst.})$ for inelastic and $23.7\%\pm0.5\%(\mathit{stat.})^{+4.6}_{-1.1}\%(\mathit{syst.})$ for non-single-diffractive interactions. This increase is consistent with that reported by the CMS collaboration for non-single-diffractive events and larger than that found by a number of commonly used models. The multiplicity distribution was measured in different pseudorapidity intervals and studied in terms of KNO variables at both energies. The results are compared to proton–antiproton data and to model predictions.

title: Coherent $J/\psi$ photoproduction in ultra-peripheral Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 2.76$ TeV
abstract: The ALICE Collaboration has made the first measurement at the LHC of J / ψ photoproduction in ultra-peripheral Pb–Pb collisions at s NN = 2.76 TeV . The J / ψ is identified via its dimuon decay in the forward rapidity region with the muon spectrometer for events where the hadronic activity is required to be minimal. The analysis is based on an event sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of about 55 μb −1 . The cross section for coherent J / ψ production in the rapidity interval − 3.6 y − 2.6 is measured to be d σ J / ψ coh / d y = 1.00 ± 0.18 ( stat ) − 0.26 + 0.24 ( syst ) mb . The result is compared to theoretical models for coherent J / ψ production and found to be in good agreement with those models which include nuclear gluon shadowing.

title: The STAR Time Projection Chamber
abstract: The STAR Time Projection Chamber was successfully operated during the first RHIC run in 2000. Most of the STAR contributions reported in these proceedings are based on the analysis of data from the TPC. In this article, we show that the performance achieved by the TPC, in terms of track reconstruction, position resolution, and particle identification are well suited for measuring precise and reliable physics observables.

title: An update from STAR—using strangeness to probe relativistic heavy ion collisions
abstract: An overview of the strangeness measurements made by the STAR collaboration at RHIC for Au-Au collisions at √s NN = 130 and 200 GeV plus p-p collisions at √s NN = 200 GeV is presented. A wealth of information has been generated on the kinematics and scale of strange particle production by this experiment. When viewed in combination a picture emerges of particles demonstrating a surprisingly high degree of collective motion, suggestive of strong internal pressure within the source which builds up rapidly. The non-resonance yields are consistent with statistical hadron formation. Although there appears to be a rapid decoupling of the source, resonance particle measurements show signs of rescattering during the hadronic phase. Meanwhile the observed suppression of high momentum probes and their large azimuthal asymmetry indicate that this hot dense matter has significant interactions with particles moving through it.