Coulomb excitation of 7230Zn42

The reduced transition probability B(E2: 01+→ 2+) of 72Zn has been measured for the first time by Coulomb excitation at intermediate energy. The result B(E2: 01+→ 2+) = 1740±210 e2fm4, corresponds to the deformation parameter β2 of 0.23, in close agreement with expectations derived from the neighboring nucleus 73Zn. A discussion of the evolution of the N = 40 sub-shell closure as a function of Z is presented.