Extending the region of triaxial superdeformation: candidate TSD bands in 174Hf

Abstract Three, possibly four, regularly spaced rotational bands with large dynamic moments of inertia have been identified in 174 Hf. Their properties are consistent with known triaxial superdeformed bands of the Lu/Hf region. Calculations predict substantial triaxial deformation ( γ ≈±17°) for 174 Hf structures with deformation ϵ 2 ≈0.45, despite the fact that 174 Hf is eight neutrons away from the previously established N =94 triaxial superdeformed gap. Shell gaps at N =100 and 106 with γ ⩾15° are predicted for ϵ 2 ≈0.45, and are most likely responsible for the calculated TSD minima in 174 Hf.