On the question of connections between high-K and low-K states in {sup 180}Ta and {sup 176}Lu

Possible connections between the high- and low-K states in the odd-odd isotopes {sup 176}Lu and {sup 180}Ta are discussed in the context of photoactivation resonances, and the implications for excitations in a stellar environment. Recent spectroscopic studies using (d, 2n) reactions provide limits on the {gamma}-ray branches expected if proposed intermediate states are correct in {sup 180}Ta and {sup 176}Lu, while Deep-inelastic measurements have observed a definitive set of connections in {sup 176}Lu.