Properties of ^{187}Ta Revealed through Isomeric Decay.

Mass-separated ^{187}Ta_{114} in a high-spin isomeric state has been produced for the first time by multinucleon transfer reactions, employing an argon gas-stopping cell and laser ionization. Internal γ rays revealed a T_{1/2}=7.3±0.

Review of metastable states in heavy nuclei.

The structure of nuclear isomeric states is reviewed in the context of their role in contemporary nuclear physics research. Emphasis is given to high-spin isomers in heavy nuclei, with [Formula: see text]. The possibility to exploit isomers to study some of the most exotic nuclei is a recurring theme.

Decay and Fission Hindrance of Two- and Four-Quasiparticle K Isomers in ^{254}Rf.

Two isomers decaying by electromagnetic transitions with half-lives of 4.7(1.1) and 247(73) μs have been discovered in the heavy ^{254}Rf nucleus.

Discovery of highly excited long-lived isomers in neutron-rich hafnium and tantalum isotopes through direct mass measurements.

A study of cooled ¹⁹⁷Au projectile-fragmentation products has been performed with a storage ring. This has enabled metastable nuclear excitations with energies up to 3 MeV, and half-lives extending to minutes or longer, to be identified in the neutron-rich nuclides ¹⁸³(,)¹⁸⁴(,)¹⁸⁶Hf and ¹⁸⁶(,)¹⁸⁷Ta. The results support the prediction of a strongly favored isomer region near neutron number 116.