Study of the Neutron-rich Isotope $^{46}$Ar Through Intermediate Energy Coulomb Excitation

The preliminary value of the reduced transition probability B(E2; 0+ ! 2+1 ) in 46Ar has been determined using the Coulomb excitation technique at intermediate energy. The 46Ar was produced in the fragmentation of a 48Ca beam at GANIL. The -rays following the Coulomb excitation of the 2+1 were emitted in-flight and detected by the 64 BaF2 detectors of the Château de Cristal array. The relatively low B(E2) value of 46Ar reported in this article supports the semi-magic character of this nucleus due to the persistence of the N = 28 shell closure at Z = 18.