Systematic behavior of the neutron-deficient molybdenum nuclei

Excited states in ${}_{}{}^{86,88}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Mo}$ have been identified using recoil-γ and γγ coincidences. Energy-level systematics of the molybdenum isotopes from the N=Z line to the N=50 shell closure are compared to their strontium and zirconium neighbors. This comparison, an estimate of the B(E2) strengths, and a Woods-Saxon cranking model have been used to suggest that the molybdenum isotopes undergo a transition from spherical to moderately deformed shapes at ${}_{}{}^{86}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Mo}$.