Valence correlation schemes provide powerful tools to interpret nuclear phenomenology. It is shown that nearly all B(E2:$2_1^{+}$→$0_1^{+}$) values from light nuclei to the actinides are encompassed in a tight correlation envelope by expressing these B(E2) values in Weisskopf units, normalizing to the mass, and plotting against ${\mathit{N}}_{\mathit{p}}$${\mathit{N}}_{\mathit{n}}$. ‘‘Deviant’’ nuclei are thereby highlighted, and it is concluded that B(E2:$2_1^{+}$→$0_1^{+}$) values alone can provide signatures, not only of quadrupole collectivity, but also of axial asymmetry, hexadecapole shapes, shape coexistence, saturation of collectivity, shell structure, and the evolution of shell gaps. Moreover, combined with E($4_1^{+}$)/E($2_1^{+}$) ratios, B(E2:$2_1^{+}$→$0_1^{+}$) values provide a simple new method to distinguish the two principal classes of nuclear phase transitions.

• Received 18 November 1992

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.70.402