Low-lying levels in ${}_{}{}^{45}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Sc}$

The low-lying levels of ${}_{}{}^{45}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Sc}$ up to 1662 keV excitation energy were investigated by measuring thick target yields and angular anisotropies of the deexcited gamma rays with a high resolution 57 ${\mathrm{cm}}^3$ Ge(Li) detector using 2–4 MeV protons. The ambiguity in the branching ratios for the 939, 1409, and 1662 keV levels has been resolved. The existence of weak gamma-ray transitions of 166 and 708 keV energies has been supported. The reaction mechanism for this range of proton energies in ${}_{}{}^{45}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Sc}$ has been established. The ambiguity in the mode of excitation for 543 and 974 keV levels has been resolved. The reliable values of B(Eλ) for 377, 543, 720, and 974 keV levels excited with protons have been measured by considering the contribution of compound nucleus formation. The ambiguity in the $J^{\pi }$ values for 974 and 1409 keV levels has been resolved by the ${\chi }^2$-fit method. The 708 keV gamma ray has been assigned a new δ value. The results have been discussed in view of the various nuclear models.