Shape Coexistence Scenario In Sm-150 From A Gamma-Gamma Fast-Timing Measurement

Lifetimes are measured for low lying states of Sm-150, populated from beta(-) decay of Pm-150 produced through (p, n) reactions with a Nd-150 target. The VENTURE array comprising of eight fast CeBr3 detectors is used for lifetime measurement with gamma-gamma fast timing technique. The lifetime of 0(3)(+) level of Sm-150 is measured for the first time to be 36(10) ps. The 0(3)(+) level is found to have enhanced decay strengths to the K-pi = 0(2)(+) structure compared with K-pi = 0(1)(+). A high p(2) (E0) strength for the 0(3)(+)-> 0(2)(+) decay confirms shape coexistence and shape mixing in N = 88 Sm-150.