Study of the low spin states of 208Bi through γ–γ spectroscopy

We studied the low spin structure of 208Bi via γ–γ coincidence measurements using a sub-Coulomb 208Pb(p, n)208Bi reaction. This nucleus has one neutron hole and one proton particle relative to the doubly magic 208Pb and therefore its spectrum directly depends on the particle–hole interaction. The available data on 208Bi is re-evaluated using the data obtained in this measurement. Comparison of the measured energy levels with a shell model calculation with a realistic interaction is presented.