B(E2) Transition Strengths of Neutron-rich Carbon Isotopes in a Seniority Scheme

Lifetime measurements of $^{16,18,20}$C isotopes using the DSAM technique have been recently carried out at NSCL [1,2]. The new data provide unique information about the structure of the Carbon isotopes. In this work we attempt to interpret the derived B(E2) transitions strengths in terms of a seniority inspired scheme. The analysis shows an important role played by proton excitations due to an effective reduction of the p$_{3/2}$ -- p$_{1/2}$ spin-orbit splitting. The predicted behavior of spectroscopic factors for proton removal and magnetic moments can be tested experimentally. \\[4pt] [1] M.Petri et al. Submitted to Phys. Rev. Lett. \\[0pt] [2] P.Voss et al. to be published.