Superdeformation in bismuth

High angular momentum states in {sup 195{minus}197}Bi are populated in two reactions: {sup 183}W({sup 19}F,{ital xn}){sup 202{minus}{ital x}}Bi and {sup 181}Ta({sup 20}Ne,{ital xn}){sup 201{minus}{ital x}}Bi at beam energies of 108 and 123 MeV, respectively. Gamma rays were detected using the Gammasphere array. Three weakly populated rotational sequences have been found. They each have properties characteristic of other superdeformed bands in this mass region. On the basis of cross-bombardment information we believe that one band belongs to each of {sup 195}Bi, {sup 196}Bi, and {sup 197}Bi. The properties of the bands in the odd-Bi nuclei are best reproduced if the odd proton occupies the favored signature of the [651]1/2 orbital, while the band in {sup 196}Bi has this same proton configuration coupled to an additional {ital N}=7 ({ital j}{sub 15/2}) neutron. The relative behavior of the @F {ital I}{sup (2)} moments of inertia can be qualitatively understood in terms of Pauli-blocking effects. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}