Effect of number conservation on high spin states and nuclear deformation

The high spin yrast states up to J = 20/sup +/ in /sup 158,160,162/Er are studied in the framework of microscopic variational approach by employing the Hamiltonian with quadrupole plus pairing interactions. The effect of number conservation on deformation, calculated energy spectra and B (E2) values is investigated. It is observed that the results are quite sensitive to the number conservation. The results of the calculations are in better agreement with the corresponding experimental data as compared to those obtained without number conservation.