Nuclear structure of Am244 investigated with the (n,) reaction

Secondary gamma rays and conversion electrons following the Am243(n,)Am244 reaction have been studied with crystal spectrometers and an electron spectrometer, respectively. Primary gamma rays following thermal neutron capture in Am243 have also been measured. A level scheme of Am244 has been constructed containing 67 excited levels. The levels are interpreted in terms of coupled proton and neutron Nilsson configurations. The results are found to be in good agreement with a semiempirical model with which excitation energies in odd-odd nuclei are calculated from those in adjacent nuclei.