Superdeformation in sup 198,196 Pb

A weakly populated rotational band with energy spacings characteristic of superdeformation has been found in the reaction {sup 154}Sm({sup 48}Ca,{ital xn}) at {ital E}({sup 48}Ca)=205 MeV. This band has seven transitions with an average {gamma}-ray energy spacing of approximately 42 keV. It is assigned to {sup 198}Pb on the basis of the excitation-function results. We also confirm the isotopic assignment of a previously reported superdeformed (SD) band in {sup 196}Pb via the cross bombardments {sup 176}Yb({sup 26}Mg,{ital xn}) and {sup 176}Yb({sup 24}Mg,{ital xn}). Three SD bands have now been identified in the Pb isotopes with neutron numbers 112, 114, and 116.