The level structure of
231Pa was investigated by means of the
231Pa(d,d′),
231Pa(p,p′) and
232 Th(p,2nγ) reactions and Coulomb excitation and by means of the electron-capture decay of
231 U to
231Pa. Two low-lying opposite-parity bands based on the
Kπ =
± states were observed up to spins
− and
+, respectively. From the branching ratios the intrinsic electric dipole moment was determined to be
![](/images/glyphs/BDK.GIF)
D
0![](/images/glyphs/BDK.GIF)
0.04
e·fm. Weak Coulomb excitation of other bands was observed. The structure of
231Pa is compared to that of
229Pa, in particular with regard to octupole effects. The level scheme and transition intensities in Coulomb excitation are analyzed in the framework of the quasiparticle + phonon model.