Feeding of superdeformed bands: The mechanism and constraints on band energies and the well depth

Entry distributions leading to normal and superdeformed (SD) states in ${}_{}{}^{192}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Hg}$ have been measured. A model, based on Monte Carlo simulations of γ cascades, successfully reproduces the entry distribution for SD states, as well as all other known observables connected with the population of SD states. Comparison of experimental and model results, together with the measured SD entry distribution, suggest that the SD band lies 3.3–4.3 MeV above the normal yrast line when it decays around spin 10 and that the SD well depth is 3.5–4.5 MeV at spin 40.