Excited states in the N = 88 nucleus Tb-153 were observed up to spin similar to 40 in an experiment utilizing the Gammasphere array. The Tb-153 states were populated in a weak alpha 4n evaporation channel of the Cl-37 + Sn-124 reaction. Two previously known sequences were extended to higher spins, and a new decoupled structure was identified. The pi h(11/2) band was observed in the spin region where other N = 88 isotopes exhibit effects of prolate to oblate shape changes leading to band termination along the yrast line, whereas Tb-153 displays a persistent collective behavior. However, minor perturbations of the very highest state in both signatures of this h(11/2) band are observed, which perhaps signal the start of the transition towards band termination. (Less)

The Sn-124(Cl-37, 6n gamma) fusion-evaporation reaction at a bombarding energy of 180 MeV has been used to significantly extend the excitation level scheme of Ho-155(67)88. The collective rotational behavior of this nucleus breaks down above spin I similar to 30 and a fully aligned noncollective (band terminating) state has been identified at I-pi = 79/2(-). Comparison with cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky calculations also provides evidence for core-excited noncollective states at I-pi = 87/2(-) and (89/2(+)) involving particle-hole excitations across the Z = 64 shell gap. A similar core-excited state in Er-156(68)88 at I-pi = (46(+)) is also presented.

A classic region of band termination at high spin occurs in rare-earth nuclei with around ten valence nucleons above the Gd-146 closed core. Results are presented here for such non-collective oblate (gamma = 60 degrees) terminating states in odd-Z Ho-155, odd-odd Ho-156, and even-even Er-156, where they are compared with neighbouring nuclei. In addition to these particularly favoured states, the occurrence of collective triaxial strongly deformed (TSD) bands, bypassing the terminating states and extending to over 65 (h) over bar, is reviewed.

Four high-spin collective bands have been populated in Er-154(68)86 via the Pd-110(Ti-48, (4)n gamma)Er-154 reaction. Average transition quadrupole moments Q(t) have been measured for three of the bands by using the Doppler-shift attenuation method. The strongest band has a value of Q(t) = 11.0 +/- 1.0 e b, similar to values found recently for four triaxial strongly deformed (TSD) bands in Er-157,Er-158. The second band has a value of Q(t) = 19.5 +/- 3.2 e b, consistent with a predicted axially symmetric superdeformed (SD) shape, similar in deformation to the Dy-152 isotone, and is used as a calibration point. The third, new band has a value of Q(t) = 9.9 +/- 2.2 e b. The results confirm the unexpectedly large Q(t) moments for the favored TSD bands in light erbium isotopes.

The light rare-earth nuclei near N = 90, e.g. Er-158, are textbook examples of the evolution of nuclear structure with excitation energy and angular momentum. They display a variety of different phenomena, such as, multiple back-bends, dramatic shape changes and band termination. However, after several decades of trying, it is only in the last few years that we have been able to observe structures beyond band termination. A spectacular return to collectivity has been found to take place extending discrete gamma-ray spectroscopy into the so-called "ultrahigh-spin regime" (I = 50-70). These sequences, observed in Er-157,Er-158, were initially interpreted as being associated with a particularly stable and energetically favored strongly deformed triaxial shape minimum. However recent quadrupole moment measurements appear to be inconsistent with this early suggestion and have generated a good deal of theoretical discussion. This surprising observation is discussed along with news on similar structures in other neighboring nuclei.

A new collective band with high dynamic moment of inertia in 158Er at spins beyond band termination has been found in addition to the two previously reported ones. The measured transition quadrupole moments (Qt) of these three bands are very similar. These three bands have been suggested to possess a triaxial strongly deformed shape, based on comparisons with calculations using the cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky model and with tilted axis cranking calculations using the Skyrme-Hartree-Fock model. In addition, three collective bands with similar high dynamic moments of inertia, tentatively assigned to 157Ho, have been observed. Thus, it is suggested that all these structures share a common underlying character and that they are most likely associated with triaxial strongly deformed minima which are predicted to be close to the yrast line at spin 50 – 70.

A new collective band with high dynamic moment of inertia in 158Er at spins beyond band termination has been found in addition to the two previously reported ones. The measured transition quadrupole moments (Qt) of these three bands are very similar. These three bands have been suggested to possess a triaxial strongly deformed shape, based on comparisons with calculations using the cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky model and with tilted axis cranking calculations using the Skyrme-Hartree-Fock model. In addition, three collective bands with similar high dynamic moments of inertia, tentatively assigned to 157Ho, have been observed. Thus, it is suggested that all these structures share a common underlying character and that they are most likely associated with triaxial strongly deformed minima which are predicted to be close to the yrast line at spin 50 – 70ℏ.

Transition quadrupole moments, Qt, of two ultrahigh-spin, collective structures in 154Er have been measured for the first time using the Doppler Shift Attenuation Method (DSAM). Data were acquired at the ATLAS accelerator facility of Argonne National Laboratory, using the Gammasphere detector array. A thick, gold-backed 110Pd foil was bombarded by a beam of 48Ti ions at 215 MeV. The Qt for each band was determined from the Doppler shift of gamma rays emitted by the resulting recoil nuclei. The extracted transition quadrupole moments are significantly different in magnitude, suggesting the two structures in 154Er represent distinct exotic nuclear shapes, namely axial superdeformed (SD) with Qt ≈ 20 eb, and triaxial strongly deformed (TSD) with Qt ≈ 11 eb. Indeed, the results calibrate the quadrupole moments of TSD bands recently measured in light erbium nuclei, 157,158Er.

A new collective band with high dynamic moment of inertia in Er-158 at spins beyond band termination has been found in addition to the two previously reported ones. The measured transition quadrupole moments (Q(t)) of these three bands are very similar. These three bands have been suggested to possess a triaxial strongly deformed shape, based on comparisons with calculations using the cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky model and with tilted axis cranking calculations using the Skyrme-Hartree-Fock model. In addition, three collective bands with similar high dynamic moments of inertia, tentatively assigned to Ho-157, have been observed. Thus, it is suggested that all these structures share a common underlying character and that they are most likely associated with triaxial strongly deformed minima which are predicted to be close to the yrast line at spin 50 - 70 (h) over bar.

A spectroscopic investigation of the gamma decays from excited states in Er-159 has been performed to study the changing structural properties exhibited as ultrahigh spins (I > 60 (h) over bar) are approached. The nucleus of Er-159 was populated by the reaction Cd-116(Ca-48, 5n gamma) at a beam energy of 215 MeV, and the resulting gamma decays were studied using the Gammasphere spectrometer. New rotational bands and extensions to existing sequences were observed, which are discussed in terms of the cranked shell model, revealing a diverse range of quasiparticle configurations. At spins around 50 (h) over bar, there is evidence for a change from dominant prolate collective motion at the yrast line to oblate non-collective structures via the mechanism of band termination. A possible strongly deformed triaxial band occurs at these high spins, which indicates collectivity beyond 50 (h) over bar. The high-spin data are interpreted within the framework of cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky calculations.

Weakly populated band structures have been established in $^{156}\mathrm{Er}$ at low to medium spins, following the $^{114}\mathrm{Cd}$($^{48}\mathrm{Ca}$,$6n\ensuremath{\gamma}$) reaction at 215 MeV. High-fold $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray coincidence data were recorded in a high-statistics experiment with the Gammasphere spectrometer. Bands built on the second ${0}^{+}$ and ${2}^{+}$ ($\ensuremath{\gamma}$-vibrational) states have been established. A large energy staggering between the even- and odd-spin members of the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-vibrational band suggests a $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-soft nature of this nucleus. An additional band is discussed as being based on a rotationally aligned $(\ensuremath{\nu}{h}_{9/2},{f}_{7/2}){}^{2}$ structure, coexisting with the systematically observed, more favorable $(\ensuremath{\nu}{i}_{13/2}){}^{2}$ aligned structure seen in this mass region.

A spectroscopic investigation of the gamma decays from excited states in Er-160 has been performed in order to study the changing structural properties exhibited from low spin up toward ultrahigh spin (I similar to 60 h). The nucleus Er-160 was populated by the reaction Cd-116(Ca-48,4n gamma) at a beam energy of 215 MeV, and resulting gamma decays were studied using the Gammasphere spectrometer. New rotational structures and extensions to existing bands were observed, revealing a diverse range of quasiparticle configurations, which are discussed in terms of the cranked shell model. At spins around 50h there is evidence for oblate states close to the yrast line. Three rotational bands that have the characteristics of strongly deformed triaxial structures are observed, marking a return to collectivity at even higher spin. The high-spin data are interpreted within the framework of cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky calculations.