Exotic clustering in Ce and Nd isotopes Original Research Article

We propose exotic binary cluster models for the intermediate mass nuclei 146,148,150Ce and 148,150,152,154Nd. The optimum choice of cluster and core is determined by joint consideration of the penetrability for exotic cluster emission, the deviations of cluster and core binding energies from underlying liquid drop values and the Q-values for breakup. It is noticeable that the core neutron number selected in this way is at or near the N = 82 shell closure. We use a standard form of the cluster-core potential to calculate the energies and wave functions of states in the ground 0+, 2+, 4+, … and lowest lying negative parity 1−, 3−, 5−, … bands. The theoretical spectra and electromagnetic properties are compared with measurements, and their general trends are reproduced satisfactorily.