| Potential energy surface calculations have predicted the existence of the island of triaxial strongly deformed (TSD) nuclei with N ∼ 94 and Z ∼ 72. Experimental discoveries of TSD bands have been first reported in 163,164,165Lu. Subsequent calculations indicated that 164,166Hf would be the most favorable even-even nuclei in the island region for finding low-lying TSD structures. However, experimental investigation of Hf nuclei performed with Euroball and Gammasphere produced negative results on the two nuclei. In the Gammasphere experiment three TSD bands were discovered in the main reaction product 168Hf. This success motivated an extension of the search for TSD bands in the region to heavier Hf-isotopes and neighboring Lu-isotopes.; In order to search for TSD bands and the characteristic wobbling mode in 167,168Lu, the experiment using 123Sb ( 48Ca, xn) reaction was performed in Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) with Gammasphere. Based on coincidence data acquired in the experiment, a new level structure for 168Lu was developed. Compared to level schemes in previous work, previously observed bands were extended to higher spins. Four new bands were assigned to 168Lu for the first time, and one of them was identified as a triaxial strongly deformed (TSD) band. |
