2026-07-072026-07-07http://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/228495The nuclear level densities of 116,117Sn below the neutron separation energy have been determined experimentally from the (3He,alpha gamma) and (3He,3He gamma') reactions, respectively. The level densities show a characteristic exponential increase and a difference in magnitude due to the odd-even effect of the nuclear systems. In addition, the level densities display pronounced step-like structures that are interpreted as signatures of subsequent breaking of nucleon pairs.7 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. C, 22 December 2008Nuclear Experimenttext