Pygmy Dipole Response in Samarium Isotopes

The influence of nuclear shape deformation on the Pygmy Dipole Response (PDR) was investigated using (alpha,alpha'gamma) scattering on Sm-144 and Sm-154. Experiments were conducted at iThemba LABS, coupling for the first time the K600 magnetic spectrometer with the BaGeL (Ball of Germanium and LaBr detectors) array. Preliminary results showcasing the efficacy of the facility and set-up for performing these 0 degrees scattering experiments to investigate the PDR region are presented.