Superdeformed band inDy152as evidence for the centrifugal solidification of a rotating nucleus

The astonishing smoothness of the superdeformed rotational spectrum in ${}_{}{}^{152}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Dy}$, from I=22 to I=60, is used as a basis for inferring a liquid-to-solid transition as the centrifugal force drives the nuclear shape into a closed-shell configuration.