Angular momentum orientation at bandcrossings in rotating nuclei

Abstract

Relative rotational E2 transition strengths are examined at bandcrossings, throughout the A ≈ 170 region of well-deformed nuclei. It is inferred that for the crossing band (s band) the angular momentum projection on the nuclear symmetry axis follows closely the maximum value for the two singly occupied i13/2 neutron orbitals adjacent to the Fermi surface. The method provides direct information from the experimental data about the orientation of the angular momentum vector relative to the intrinsic nuclear symmetry axis.