N=151 Pu, Cm and Cf nuclei under rotational stress: Role of higher-order deformations

Fast-rotating N = 151 isotones Pu-245, Cm-247 and Cf-249 have been studied through inelastic excitation and transfer reactions with radioactive targets. While all have a ground-state band built on a nu j(15/2)[734]9/2(-) Nilsson configuration, new excited bands have also been observed in each isotone. These odd-N excited bands allow a comparison of the alignment behavior for two different configurations, where the nu j(15/2) alignment is either blocked or allowed. The effect of higher order deformations is explored through cranking calculations, which help clarify the elusive nature of nu j(15/2) alignments. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.