The observation of excited states in 142Gd and 142,144Dy

Abstract Levels in the neutron deficient 142 Gd and 142,144 Dy nuclei have been identified using multiple particle-gamma coincidence techniques. The isotopes were produced in the 54,56 Fe + 92 Mo and 52 Cr + 96 Ru reactions at 20–30 MeV above the Coulomb barrier. The new data are discussed in the context of the systematic trend toward deformation in light rare-earth nuclei and the disappearance of the Z = 64 subshell gap.