Shape evolution and magnetic rotation in 141Nd

The high-spin states in 141 Nd were investigated using the 96 Zr( 48 Ca, 3n) reaction and the EUROBALL array. The level scheme has been extended up to an excitation energy of around 16MeV and spin 81/2. Two new bands of dipole transitions and three bands presumably of quadrupole transitions were identified and their connections to low-lying states were established. Cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky and tilted axis cranking calculations are combined in the interpretation of the observed dipole bands. The high-spin bands with assigned quadrupole transitions are interpreted as triaxial bands, while the dipole bands appear in the calculations to exhibit a shape evolution from low-deformation triaxial to spherical shape. They can be classified as magnetic rotation, with transition probabilities that show the characteristic decrease with angular momentum caused by the shears mechanism.