Studies of the $^{198}$Hg(d,d$^{\prime}$) and $^{198}$Hg(d,p) reactions

Limits on the electric dipole moment (EDM) continue to decrease for $^{199}$Hg, the most stringent upper limit for a nuclear EDM to date. The experimental limit on the observed atomic EDM for $^{199}$Hg is converted to limits on fundamental CP-odd interactions via a calculation of the nuclear Schiff moment, requiring knowledge of the nuclear structure of $^{199}$Hg. The $E3$ and $E1$ strength distributions to the ground state of $^{199}$Hg, and $E2$ transitions amongst excited states, would be ideal information to further constrain $^{199}$Hg Schiff moment theoretical models. The high level density of $^{199}$Hg makes those determinations challenging, however similar information can be obtained from exploring surrounding even-even Hg isotopes. As part of a campaign to study the Hg isotopes near $^{199}$Hg, two reactions, $^{198}$Hg(d,d$^{\prime})^{198}$Hg and $^{198}$Hg(d,p)$^{199}$Hg were studied using the Q3D spectrograph at the Maier-Leibnitz Laboratory (MLL) at Garching, Germany. A 22 MeV deuterium beam was used to impinge a $^{198}$Hg$^{32}$S target. The (d,d$^{\prime}$) reaction allows us to probe the desired $E2$ and $E3$ matrix elements, while the (d,p) reaction provides information on the neutron single-particle states of $^{199}$Hg.