Observation of 54Ni: Cross-Conjugate Symmetry in f7/2 Mirror Energy Differences

Abstract

Gamma decays from excited states up to Jp=6+ in the N=Z-2 nucleus 54Ni have been identified for the first time. Level energies are compared with those of the isobars 54Co and 54Fe and of the cross-conjugate nuclei of mass A=42. The good but puzzling f7/2 cross-conjugate symmetry in mirror and triplet energy differences is analyzed. Shell model calculations reproduce the new data but the necessary nuclear charge-dependent phenomenology is not fully explained by modern nucleon-nucleon potentials.