Excited bands ofYb168in an angular momentum projected theory

The angular momentum projected Tamm-Dancoff approximation is applied to describe eight excited rotational bands of the nucleus ${}_{}{}^{168}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Yb}$ up to very high angular momenta. The good agreement with the experimental data allows us to assign parity and angular momentum to some bands which previously had uncertain assignment. Beside the energy levels, we describe moments of inertia, gyromagnetic factors, and B(E2) transition probabilities along the yrast band. The pairing properties of this nucleus at high spins are discussed in the frame of a symmetry violating wave function. We do not find it necessary to invoke a phase transition to obtain a good agreement with the experimental data at very high spins.