Shape coexistence revealed in the N= Z isotope 72 Kr through inelastic scattering

The N= Z= 36 nucleus 72Kr has been studied by inelastic scattering at intermediate energies. Two targets, 9Be and 197Au, were used to extract the nuclear deformation length, δN, and the reduced E2 transition probability, B(E2). The previously unknown non-yrast 2 + and 4 + states as well as a new candidate for the octupole 3 - state have been observed in the scattering on the Be target and placed in the level scheme based on γ- γ coincidences. The second 2 + state was also observed in the scattering on the Au target and the B(E2;22+→01+) value could be determined for the first time. Analyzing the results in terms of a two-band mixing model shows clear evidence for a oblate-prolate shape coexistence and can be explained by a shape change from an oblate ground state to prolate deformed yrast band from the first 2 + state. This interpretation is corroborated by beyond mean field calculations using the Gogny D1S interaction.