Nuclear isomers: structures and applications

Isomeric states in the nuclei along the rapid proton capture process path are studied by the projected shell model. Emphasis is given to two waiting point nuclei 68Se and 72Kr that are characterized by shape coexistence. Energy surface calculations indicate that the ground state of these nuclei corresponds to an oblate-deformed minimum, while the lowest state at the prolatedeformed minimum can be considered as a shape isomer. Due to occupation of the orbitals with large K-components, states built upon two-quasiparticle excitations at the oblate-deformed minimum may form high K-isomers. The impact of the isomer states on isotopic abundance in X-ray bursts is studied in a multi-mass-zone X-ray burst model by assuming an upper-lower limit approach.