The binding energies of even-even and odd-odd N=Z nuclei are compared. After correcting for the symmetry energy we find that the lowest T=1 state in odd-odd N=Z nuclei is as bound as the ground state in the neighboring even-even nucleus, thus providing evidence for isovector np pairing. However, T=0 states in odd-odd N=Z nuclei are several MeV less bound than the even-even ground states. We associate this difference with the T=1 pair gap and conclude from the analysis of binding energy differences and blocking arguments that there is no evidence for an isoscalar (deuteronlike) pair condensate in N=Z nuclei.

• Received 15 April 1999

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.61.041303