Kπ=3+ band at 1862 keV in Hf178

A critical evaluation of results from the Hf177(d,p) reaction, taken together with gamma-ray data following neutron capture, firmly establishes that the 1862.2 keV 3+, 1953.1 keV 4+, and 2068.0 keV 5+ levels in Hf178 unambiguously constitute a Kπ=3+ band, closely interrelated with the well known Kπ=4+ band based at 1513.8 keV. These two bands form a doublet with the {7/2-[514]∓1/2-[510]} two-neutron configuration. This assignment necessitates a revision of an earlier interpretation, adopted by Nuclear Data Sheets, placing these levels as rotational members of a Kπ=2+ band based at 1808.3 keV. Detailed arguments for the revised assignment are presented.