Analysis of Delta I =2 staggering in nuclear rotational spectra

Abstract

A method is proposed and tested for the analysis of Delta I=2 staggering observed in nuclear rotational bands. We examine six super- and hyper-deformed bands, among which that of 149Gd and possibly of 147Gd seem to exhibit real staggering. However, we emphasize that the presence of staggering may not necessarily imply the occurrence of bifurcation. It is also shown that a similar staggering seen in normally deformed bands is a manifestation of band crossings. A more extensive analysis is planned.