Neutron orbitals above the N = 74 shell gap at large deformation: spectroscopy in the superdeformed minimum of 133Ce

High-spin states in 133Ce were populated via the 116Cd(22Ne,5n) reaction at 120 MeV. Analysis of these data has revealed three new superdeformed bands in 133Ce, two of which have transitions which are identical to those observed in the yrast bands of 132Ce and 136Nd. These bands have been interpreted as signature partners of the [530]12− orbital coupled to the 132Ce yrast superdeformed core. The third band is believed to be built upon a π54ν63 configuration at high rotational frequency and to show the effects resulting from an alignment of a pair of f72 neutrons at ℏgω ⋍ 0.7 MeV. It is tentatively suggested that the sharp rise in the dynamic moment of inertia of this band at low rotational frequency may result from an admixture of the π54ν61 configuration.