Abstract
The nucleus Gd-154 is located in a region of the nuclear chart where
rapid changes of nuclear deformation occur as a function of particle
number. It was investigated using a combination of gamma-ray scattering
experiments and a gamma gamma-coincidence study following electron
capture decay of Tb-154(m). A novel decay channel from the scissors mode
to the first excited 0(+) state was observed. Its transition strength
was determined to B(M1; 1(sc)(+) -> 0(2)(+)) = 0.031(4)mu(2)(N). The
properties of the scissors mode of Gd-154 imply a much larger matrix
element than previously thought for the neutrinoless double-beta decay
to the 0(2)(+) state in such a shape-transitional region. Theory
indicates an even larger effect for Nd-150.
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