Rotational bands with terminating properties in 59Ni

Highly-deformed rotational bands were established in 59Ni using the 40Ca(29Si,2p2α)59Ni reaction. Lifetime measurements indicate that transition quadrupole moments of two of these bands decrease as they smoothly approach their maximum-spin states. The configurations of these bands as well as their band-terminating features are discussed based on configuration-dependent cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky calculations. These calculations indicate that, unlike similar bands observed previously in the region, the two bands in 59Ni maintain significant collectivity at their I=Imax states.