Discrete decay of the yrast superdeformed band in the Tb151 nucleus

The Euroball array has been used to search for linking transitions between the superdeformed (SD) and the normal deformed (ND) wells in Tb151. Many γ rays in the energy range 2-4 MeV have been observed in coincidence with the yrast SD band. It is proposed that the highest energy transition of 3748 keV and the strongest line (2818 keV) of the previously observed transitions both decay from the same SD level as their links with the ND states have been identified. The current spectra have insufficient statistics to completely identify the decay point in the SD band. Theoretical calculations covering SD bands in the A 150 region enable the two possible spin assignments to be compared with experimental data on proposed links in Gd149 and Dy152. It is concluded that the energy of the lowest SD band member in Tb151 has an excitation energy of 12861 keV and a spin of 65/2+. © 2008 The American Physical Society.