Investigation of high-spin states inAr38

The high-spin states formed in ${}_{}{}^{38}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Ar}$ following the fusion of ${}_{}{}^{14}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{N}$, ${}_{}{}^{16,18}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{O}$, and ${}_{}{}^{19}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{F}$ projectiles with targets of ${}_{}{}^{26}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Mg}$, ${}_{}{}^{27}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Al}$, and ${}_{}{}^{28}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Si}$ have been investigated. Angular distribution, linear polarization, and $\gamma -\gamma$ coincidence data on the $\gamma$ rays emitted by these states were utilized to construct a decay scheme for ${}_{}{}^{38}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Ar}$, and to suggest probable spin-parity assignments for several new high-spin states. Results of lifetime measurements for several of these states are presented, and a comparison of the experimental level energies to the predictions of a simple weak-coupling calculation and a large-basis shell model calculation is given.