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Synopsis

Predictive nuclear models based on the nuclear shell model aim to describe fundamental properties, such as energy levels and electromagnetic transition rates; however, no model is found to be complete. Accurate transition rate measurements provide tests on these models and thus provide insight into nuclear structure via nuclear matrix elements and wavefunctions.

To contribute to these measures, a low-energy Coulomb excitation experiment was performed at TRIUMF using a 36Ar beam on a natural carbon target with 197Au backing. The TIGRESS and TIP detection systems were used to detect gamma-rays and charged particles. In addition to excitations in 36Ar, excited states in 37Ar were observed, likely formed via neutron transfer from 13C.

In total, five lifetimes were determined using the Doppler-Shift Attenuation Method (DSAM) and Delayed Coincidence Method (DCM), by comparing experimental data and simulated gamma-ray spectra or time distributions. These experimental results were then compared to predictions from nuclear models to assess their validity and to further improve our understanding of nuclear structure.