Evidence for deformation in 113-116Cd isotopes

High-spin states in 113-116Cd have been investigated with the fusion-fission reaction 28Si +176Yb at 145 > MeV. The experiment has been performed with the Eurogam2 array. New rotational bands based on two quasi-particle states have been observed for even-even cadmium isotopes. A new level scheme based on the 11/2− isomeric state is proposed for 115Cd and the one of 113Cd has been extended to spin (31/2−). The decoupled bands identified in both odd-A nuclei are interpreted as being built upon a low-Ωh11/2 quasi-neutron configuration. Microscopic Hartree-Fock + BCS calculations confirm the prolate deformation in this mass region especially for the odd cadmium isotopes.