Isomeric Decay Studies in Neutron-Rich N ≈ 126 Nuclei

Heavy neutron-rich nuclei were populated via relativistic energy fragmentation of a E / A = 1 GeV 208 Pb beam. The nuclei of interest were selected and identified by a fragment separator and then implanted in a passive plastic stopper. Delayed γ rays following internal isomeric decays were detected by the RISING array. Experimental information was obtained on a number of nuclei with Z = 73-80 ( Ta - Hg ), providing new information both on the prolate-oblate transitional region as well as on the N = 126 closed shell nuclei.