Evolution of the γ -ray strength function in neodymium isotopes

The experimental γ-ray strength functions (γSFs) of Nd142,144-151 have been studied for γ-ray energies up to the neutron separation energy using the Oslo method. The results represent a unique set of γSFs for an isotopic chain with increasing nuclear deformation. The data reveal how the low-energy enhancement, the scissors mode, and the pygmy dipole resonance evolve with nuclear deformation and mass number. This indicates that the mechanisms behind the low-energy enhancement and the scissors mode are decoupled from each other.