Investigation of excited 0$^+$ states populated in the $^{162}Er$(p,t) reaction

A continuing challenge in nuclear structure physics is the determination of the nature of low-lying excited 0$^+$ states. Various approaches have been implemented to interpret the occurence of these states, such as vibrational excitations in $\beta$ and $\gamma$ phonons or pairing excitations. One of the difficulties, however, in resolving the nature of these states is that there is a paucity of data; even the first excited state, 0$^+_2$, is not always known. Direct two-neutron transfer reactions are a useful tool for locating and investigating the nature of excited 0$^+$ states in well-deformed nuclei. Using the Q3D spectrograph at the Maier-Leibnitz Laboratory, the $N=92$ nucleus $^{160}$Er was studied via ($p,t$) reactions with a highly-enriched $^{162}$Er target. Strong population of the 0$^+_2$ state was observed with large cross sections greater than any other excited $0^+$ state. Preliminary results will be presented.