Gamma-ray fast-timing coincidence measurements from the (18)O+(18)O fusion-evaporation reaction using a mixed LaBr(3)-HPGe array

We report on a gamma-ray coincidence analysis using a mixed array of hyperpure germanium and cerium-doped lanthanum tri-bromide (LaBr(3):Ce) scintillation detectors to study nuclear electromagnetic transition rates in the pico-to-nanosecond time regime in (33,34)P and (33)S following fusion-evaporation reactions between an (18)O beam and an isotopically enriched (18)O implanted tantalum target. Energies from decay gamma-rays associated with the reaction residues were measured in event-by-event coincidence mode, with the measured time difference information between the pairs of gamma-rays in each event also recorded using the ultra-fast coincidence timing technique. The experiment used the good full-energy peak resolution of the LaBr(3):Ce detectors coupled with their excellent timing responses in order to determine the excited state lifetime associated with the lowest lying, cross-shell, I(π)=4(-) "intruder" state previously reported in the N=19 isotone (34)P. The extracted lifetime is consistent with a mainly single-particle M2 multipolarity associated with a f(7/2)→d(5/2) single particle transition