Superdeformed Band inNd135

A superdeformed band ($\beta \approx 0.4-0.5$) was found in ${}_{}{}^{135}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Nd}$, the first one in an odd-mass nucleus. It consists of thirteen transitions with an average moment of inertia ${\mathcal{I}}^{\mathrm{}\left(2\right)\mathrm{}}\approx 59{\hslash }^2$ Me${\mathrm{V}}^{-1\mathrm{}}$, and gathers at its bottom ∼10% of the reaction events leading to ${}_{}{}^{135}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Nd}$. Of the three known superdeformed bands, it is the most strongly populated and the one observed to the lowest spins, and it is the first in which the transitions depopulating the band have been seen. It has a moment of inertia very similar to that of the superdeformed band in ${}_{}{}^{132}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Ce}$. The less-deformed part of the decay scheme of ${}_{}{}^{135}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Nd}$ is also given.