Strong octupole and dipole collectivity inZr96: Indication for octupole instability in theA=100 mass region

Abstract
A half-life of T1/2=50(7) ps was measured for the 31 level in Zr96. The deduced B(E3) rate of 65(10) W.u. makes this 3101+ transition the fastest known. The results interpreted in terms of the random phase approximation and a deformed shell model suggest octupole instability around Zr96.