Measurements of multipolarities in 227Ra as tests of evidence for stable octupole deformation

Multipolarities of ~30 transitions in 227Ra have been established by measuring conversion electrons following the β− decay of 227Fr. For this purpose a “mini-orange”-type electron spectrometer has been constructed. The 227Fr isotopes were produced by the ISOLDE on-line separator at the CERN Synchro-cyclotron. Internal conversion coefficients were obtained from singles spectra and also from simultaneous γe− and γγ coincidence measurements. The new results support the placement of levels and transitions in the earlier level scheme but require changes in the previously assigned parities for four of the levels. Also, one E0 transition was identified. The results are consistent with previous interpretations for most of the levels that have been used to argue in favour of a small permanent octupole deformation for 227Ra.