The spin distribution populated in the ${}^{150}\mathrm{Sm}(p,t)$ reaction with 25 MeV protons has been investigated using the silicon telescope and high-purity germanium array Hyperion. Angular distributions of outgoing tritons and relative intensities of $\gamma$ rays from low-lying levels are used to deduce the initial spin distribution using statistical calculations and are compared with a semiclassical model of the $(p,t)$ reaction. Experimental and theoretical results suggest a peak strength near $4\hslash$ when gated on outgoing tritons detected in Hyperion, while the full $4\pi$ distribution may peak near $2\hslash$. Additionally, the average $\gamma$-neutron branching ratio is determined from the data with the aid of one of two new codes presented in this work. The analysis is extended to other recent studies of ${}^{152,154}\mathrm{Sm}(p,t)$ to form systematics of the spin-dependence of the surrogate method applied to heavy nuclei in the transitional to deformed region.

• Received 2 July 2018
• Revised 29 August 2018

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.98.044618