Extending the region of triaxial superdeformation:: candidate TSD bands in 174Hf

Three, possibly four, regularly spaced rotational bands with large dynamic moments of inertia have been identified in Hf-174. Their properties are consistent with known triaxial superdeformed bands of the Lu/Hf region. Calculations predict substantial triaxial deformation (gamma approximate to +/-17) for Hf-174 structures with deformation epsilon(2) approximate to 0.45, despite the fact that Hf-174 is eight neutrons away from the previously established N = 94 triaxial superdeformed gap. Shell gaps at N = 100 and 106 with gamma greater than or equal to 15degrees are predicted for epsilon(2) approximate to 0.45, and are most likely responsible for the calculated TSD minima in Hf-174. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier Science B.V