High-spin states in 157yb have been populated in the 144Sm(16O, 3n)157yb fusion-evaporation reaction at a beam energy of 85 MeV, and two rotational bands have been established for the first time. Within the framework of the triaxial particle-rotor model, the energy spectra and single-particle configurations of 157yb are investigated. The calculated energy spectra agree well with the experimental data. The newly observed vf7/2 band, and the previously known vi13/2 band in 157yb, are also discussed by means of Total-Routhian-Surface methods. The structural characters observed in 157Yb provide evidence for the shape coexistence of three distinct shapes: prolate, triaxial and oblate. At higher spins, both the vf7/2 band and the vi13/2 band in 157yb undergo a shape evolution with sizable alignments occurring.
High-spin states in 157Yb have been populated in the 144Sm(160, 3n)157yb fusion- evaporation reaction at a beam energy of 85 MeV, and two rotational bands have been established for the first time. Within the framework of the triaxial particle-rotor model, the energy spectra and single-particle configurations of 157Yb are investigated. The calculated energy spectra agree well with the experimental data. The newly observed vf7/2 band, and the previously known vi13/2 band in 157Yb, are also discussed by means of Total-Routhian-Surface methods. The structural characters observed in 157Yb provide evidence for the shape coexistence of three distinct shapes: prolate, triaxial and oblate. At higher spins, both the vf7/2 band and the vi13/2 band in 157Yb undergo a shape evolution with sizable alignments occurring.