In-beam gamma ray and conversion electron study of 250 Fm
We report on a set of in-beam studies of excited states in {sup 250}Fm. We detected prompt {gamma} rays by using the JUROSPHERE IV array and conversion electrons by using the SACRED spectrometer. Both devices were used in conjunction with the RITU gas-filled recoil separator located at the University of Jyvaeskylae. {sup 250}Fm nuclei were produced through the {sup 204}Hg({sup 48}Ca,2n){sup 250}Fm fusion-evaporation reaction. An experimental excitation function gave a maximum reaction cross section of (980 {+-} 160) nb at an energy of 209 MeV in the center of the target. Tagging techniques were employed, and a number of E2 transitions were observed that connected the ground-state band levels from spin 4{sup +} up to 18{sup +}. The highly converted 4{sup +}{yields}2{sup +} transition is observed only by use of conversion electron spectroscopy. The observed ground-state band transitions indicate a rotational structure. We deduce a quadrupole deformation parameter of {beta}{sub 2}=0.28  0.02. A low-energy background of apparent nuclear origin is observed in conversion electrons and postulated to arise from the decay of high-K bands. The half-life of {sup 250}Fm is measured to be 30.4 {+-} 1.5 0009m.

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: 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: alpha decay of Re159 and proton emission from Ta155

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

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: Testing models of hadron production with strange hadrons in the intermediate pT region using the STAR detector
abstract: We report on the transverse momentum dependence of strangeness production measured with the STAR detector. Identified particle spectra are used to provide a test of models of hadron production in the intermediate transverse momentum region, 2 < pT < 6 GeV/c. Further insight into hadron production is obtained from the nuclear modification factor, Rcp, in Au+Au collisions, which shows that there is a different pT dependence of hadron suppression in central collisions for baryons and mesons, consistent with quark coalescence. Evidence for a similar baryon–meson difference is also found in d+Au collisions.

title: Measurement of the cross section for electromagnetic dissociation with neutron emission in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s(NN)] = 2.76 TeV.
abstract: The first measurement of neutron emission in electromagnetic dissociation of ^{208}Pb nuclei at the LHC is presented. The measurement is performed using the neutron zero degree calorimeters of the ALICE experiment, which detect neutral particles close to beam rapidity. The measured cross sections of single and mutual electromagnetic dissociation of Pb nuclei at sqrt[s(NN)]=2.76 TeV with neutron emission are σ(singleEMD)=187.4 ± 0.2(stat)(-11.2)(+13.2) (syst) b and σ(mutualEMD) = 5.7 ± 0.1(stat) ± 0.4(syst) b, respectively. The experimental results are compared to the predictions from a relativistic electromagnetic dissociation model.

title: Azimuthal anisotropy and correlations in the hard scattering regime at RHIC.
abstract: Azimuthal anisotropy (v(2)) and two-particle angular correlations of high p(T) charged hadrons have been measured in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=130 GeV for transverse momenta up to 6 GeV/c, where hard processes are expected to contribute significantly. The two-particle angular correlations exhibit elliptic flow and a structure suggestive of fragmentation of high p(T) partons. The monotonic rise of v(2)(p(T)) for p(T)<2 GeV/c is consistent with collective hydrodynamical flow calculations. At p(T)>3 GeV/c, a saturation of v(2) is observed which persists up to p(T)=6 GeV/c.

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: Overview of the status and strangeness capabilities of STAR
abstract: STAR is a large-acceptance spectrometer capable of precision measurements of a wide variety of strange particles. We discuss the STAR detector, its configuration during the first two years of RHIC operation, and its initial performance for Au + Au collisions. The expected performance for strangeness physics and initial data on strange particle reconstruction in Au + Au collisions are presented.