Multi-particle excitations in the superdeformed 149Gd nucleus

Six rotational bands built on superdeformed intrinsic configurations have been observed in the 149Gd nucleus with the Eurogam spectrometer. Orbital configuration assignments have been suggested on the basis of their effective alignments calculated with the Nilsson-Strutinsky cranking model. Most of the excited bands have identical partners in neighboring nuclei including one case differing by four mass units. Measurements of feeding patterns indicate that the 149Gd yrast superdeformed band is fed over a wider range of angular momentum than other yrast superdeformed bands in this mass region whereas weaker excited bands in the same nucleus are populated in narrower spin windows.