From highly to superdeformed shapes: study of Gd

Abstract A superdeformed band has been discovered in 143 Gd consisting of 15 transitions. It does not show the band crossing observed in the neighbouring heavier Gd isotopes and it is degenerate with the superdeformed band in 143 Eu. In contrast to other degenerate bands at superdeformed shape, the configurations of the bands are quite different here. They result from the exchange of a ν 6 4 with a π [404]9/2 configuration. In addition, a collective band has been observed which adopts a well-deformed triaxial shape at high spins according to calculations. The transition from highly to superdeformed shapes proceeds via triaxial shapes.