Decoupled rotational band structure of odd Pd nuclei in a spherical quasiparticle picture

Energy-level calculations are performed for the odd-mass Pd isotopes using a simple model in which valence neutrons in the d/sub 5/2/, g/sub 7/2/, and h/sub 11/2/ orbitals are coupled to a weakly deformed soft core. The softness is simulated by a variable moment-of-inertia representation for the core. A spherical basis is used throughout so that all basis states are eigenstates of good J, R, and I. The Hamiltonian is treated in the BCS approximation, and the deformation for each level is determined by an energy minimization condition. In general, calculated intraband energies are in good agreement with experiment; bandhead positions are much more difficult to fit, especially for /sup 1/05Pd.