Excited state lifetimes in 109Ru, 109Pd as a probe for structure in the neutron-rich A-100 region

The evolution of structure in neutron-rich nuclei can occur quite rapidly. In the A=110 region, the onset of deformation is not well-characterized, and signatures such as triaxial deformations, shape coexistence and oblate configurations have been reported within a small window of the nuclear landscape. We have investigated the A=109 $\beta$-decay chain from the fission of 238U at the Univ. of Jyvaskyla IGISOL facility. Level lifetimes and gamma-ray transitions were measured with a multi-detector array of 1 NE111A plastic, 2 HPGe, and 2 LaBr3 detectors. Events recorded in $\beta$-$\gamma$-$\gamma$ triple coincidence were used to construct/check level schemes and extract level lifetimes via the fast-timing method pioneered by H. Mach. Results will be presented on the low energy structure of 109Ru, in context to the A=109 decay chain including 109Tc and 109Pd. In each, new levels, transitions and lifetimes are measured for the first time