Triaxial superdeformation

Triaxial superdeformation Systematics of triaxial superdeformed bands

Triaxial superdeformed (TSD) rotational bands appear in a number of nuclei which, according to theoretical calculations, are expected to be centered around ¹⁶⁶Hf. We have investigated 12 even-even nuclei in this mass region in a search for the most favourable cases for observing TSD bands. The nuclei included in the study are ^{160,162,164,166}Yb, ^{162,164,166,168}Hf and ^{164,166,168,170}W. For each nucleus the lowest total energy surface with even parity and signature alpha = 0 has been calculated for anguilar momentum between 0 and 50. All energy minima in the TES have been mapped out and their properties have been studied. In addition to minima at normal and TDS shape highly triaxial (|gamma| close to 30 degrees) appear repeatedly in many of the investigated nuclei.

The results of our investigation are reported below.

Part I: Deformation systematics.

Part II: Energy systematics of the TSD bands.

Part III: Normal deformation properties.

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