Structure of 38Cl and the quest for a comprehensive shell model interaction

Abstract

The higher-spin structure of 38Cl (N=21) was investigated following the 26Mg(14C, pn) reaction at 30 and 37 MeV beam energies. The outgoing protons were detected in an E−ΔE Si telescope placed at 0∘ close to the target with a Ta beam stopper between the target and telescope. Multiple γ rays were detected in time coincidence with the protons using an enhanced version of the FSU γ-detection array. The level scheme was extended up to 8420 keV with a likely spin of 10 ℏ. A new multishell interaction was developed guided by the experimental information. This FSU interaction was built by fitting to the energies of 270 experimental states from 13C to 51Ti. Calculations using the FSU interaction reproduce observed properties of 38Cl rather well, including the spectroscopic factors. The interaction has been successfully used to interpret the 1p1h and 2p2h configurations in some nearby nuclei as well.