Observation of Thermodynamical Properties in the ${}^{162}$Dy, ${}^{166}$Er and ${}^{172}$Yb Nuclei

Abstract

The density of accessible levels in the (${}^3$He,$\alpha \gamma$) reaction has been extracted for the ${}^{162}$Dy, ${}^{166}$Er and ${}^{172}$Yb nuclei. The nuclear temperature is measured as a function of excitation energy in the region of 0 -- 6 MeV. The temperature curves reveal structures indicating new degrees of freedom. The heat capacity of the nuclear system is discussed within the framework of a canonical ensemble.

Comments: 12 pages, 4 figures included