Evidence for 2f7/2 neutron strength in the low energy structure of 144,146,148,150Nd isotopes

The g factors of the 4+1 and 6+1 states in 144,148Nd, the 4+1 state in 146Nd and the 4+1, 6+1, 8+1 and 10+1 states in 150Nd have been measured for the first time by projectile Coulomb excitation combined with the transient field technique. The g factors of the 2+1 states in 144,146,148,150Nd have been remeasured with very high precision. A pronounced transition in the structure of these isotopes occurs as neutrons are removed from the rotational 150Nd and shell closure at N=82 is approached. The g factors unambiguously reflect the increasing strength of the (2f7/2)νn configuration.