Nuclei with closed proton and neutron shells have spherical ground state. Adding extra neutrons or protons will affect low energy structure. One of the most dramatic features in these nuclei is the coexistence of states with very different deformations. One of the exciting regions, where these effects dominate is in nuclei between the double magic 40Ca (N=Z=20) and 56Ni (N=Z=28). Characteristic of the shape coexistence is the presence of strong electric monopole transitions. In our recent experiments at the ANU we studied some of the Ni, Fe and Cr isotopes. To fully characterise the transitions connecting states with the same spin and parity, but very different nuclear deformations, proton-gamma coincidence measurements are required.

This project seeks to develop and use a new proton-gamma detector system to investigate the level structure of a range of  nuclei in the N=Z=20 to 28 region.

The project will involve the design and set-up of the system along with characterising it using nuclear reactions of inelastically scattered protons from the ANU Heavy Ion Accelerator.

The project is suitable for honours and master students, interested in spectrometer development and multi-parameter data analysis.