Delayed neutron alignment inI117

The rotational alignment of ${\mathit{h}}_{11/2}$ neutrons is considerably delayed (Δħω∼0.11 MeV) in the π${\mathit{h}}_{11/2}$[550]1/$2^{\mathrm{-}}$ intruder band in ${}_{}{}^{117}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{I}$ when compared to bands built on normal-parity states. Comparison with cranked shell-model calculations suggests that this effect may indicate a larger quadrupole deformation for the intruder orbital. A strong neutron-proton interaction between the aligning ${\mathit{h}}_{11/2}$ neutrons and the ${\mathit{h}}_{11/2}$ proton intruder may also play a role. In addition, noncollective oblate states at ${\mathit{I}}^{\mathrm{\pi }}$=39/$2^{\mathrm{-}}$,43/$2^{\mathrm{-}}$, and 45/$2^{\mathrm{-}}$ compete energetically with rotational states of the intruder band which may also perturb the neutron alignment.