97Rb - the cornerstone of the region of deformation around A ~ 100
Phys. Rev. Lett.
Excited states of the neutron-rich nuclei
97,99
Rb
were populated for the first time using the multistep Coulomb excitation of radioactive beams. Comparisons of the results with particle-rotor model calculations provide clear identification for the ground-state rotational band of
97
Rb
as being built on the 𝜋𝑔9/2 [431] 3/2+ Nilsson-model configuration. The ground-state excitation spectra of the Rb isotopes show a marked distinction between single-particle-like structures below 𝑁 =60 and rotational bands above. The present study defines the limits of the deformed region around 𝐴 ∼100 and indicates that the deformation of
97
Rb
is essentially the same as that observed well inside the deformed region. It further highlights the power of the Coulomb-excitation technique for obtaining spectroscopic information far from stability. The
99
Rb
case demonstrates the challenges of studies with very short-lived postaccelerated radioactive beams.