Spin of the 4970 keV level in 34Si

Ascertain the spin-parity of the 4970 keV level in 34Si by resolving whether it is 3− or 5− using measurements beyond the present γ–γ angular correlation analysis.

Background

The γ–γ angular correlation for the 591–124 keV cascade constrains the 4970 keV level to spins 3, 4, or 5, with 4− disfavored due to a large E2/M1 mixing ratio. The analysis could not distinguish between 3− and 5− purely from the measured correlations.

The authors later suggest a 5− assignment based on theoretical arguments and decay patterns, but the experimental ambiguity remains explicitly noted.