Exploring High-Spin States in $^{39}$Ar using a Fusion-Evaporation Reaction

In nuclear physics, a goal is to understand the structure of nuclei and use theory to predict their properties: experimental data can help put constraints on the theories used to model these nuclei. At FSU, a fusion-evaporation reaction was conducted, allowing for the creation of high-spin states in $^{39}$Ar. The 7 day experiment used a $^{14}$C beam impinging on a $^{27}$Al target. To observe the high-spin states in $^{39}$Ar, the FSU gamma array, consisting of 10 High-Purity Germanium (HPGe) detectors, was coupled with a particle telescope. The selection of the proton-neutron decay channel allowed for all gamma decays occurring in coincidence with the emission of protons and neutrons to be observed. Using the coincidences, matrices were constructed to further study the particle-gamma-gamma and gamma-gamma coincidences. The study of these matrices lead to the discovery of new energy levels in $^{39}$Ar suspected of having high spin, due to the nature of the reaction and direct feeding into previously known high-spin states. The new potentially high-spin states have been compared to a shell model interaction that is being developed at FSU. Results will be discussed.