Investigation of excited states in Pt isotopes: $^{188}$Pt, $^{192}$Pt, $^{194}$Pt

The Pt isotopic chain is located in a transitional region between well-deformed rare-earth and the spherical nuclei near the doubly-magic $^{208}$Pb. They are known to exhibit a range of interesting structural phenomena. Platinum isotopes, $^{188}$Pt, $^{192}$Pt and $^{194}$Pt, were investigated in different reactions. Excited states in $^{188}$Pt were populated in $\beta$-decay and studied through off-beam $\gamma$-ray spectroscopy. The energies and decay properties of the low-lying levels were measured. A (p, t) experiment was performed to study $^{192}$Pt and $^{194}$Pt. The (p, t) reactions are particularly sensitive to 0$^+$ excited states. The purpose of these studies is to obtain information which can help to discriminate between alternative structural interpretations. Results of this work will be presented. Research was supported by the U.S. DOE under Grant No. DE-FG02-91ER-40609, MLL, and DFG (C4-Gr894/2-3, Jo391/2-3).