An empirical analysis of superdeformed bands: A semiclassical view

An empirical analysis of the superdeformed (SD) bands is presented. The analysis is backed by the dynamical features of the cranking model [Jain et al., Phys. Lett. B 370 (1996) 1] and the particle rotor model [Jain et al., Phys. Lett. B 392 (1997) 243] recently obtained from a semi-classical approach. It is found that the weak oscillations in the angular momentum vs. gamma ray energy plots (as also observed in the data) would be absent if the nonlinearity of the model is ignored. A linear fit to the experimental data, based on this premise, therefore leads to an average value of the moment of inertia and the aligned angular momentum. The values of the moment of inertia are found to be very close to the rigid body values. Also the alignment is found to be mostly negative in accordance with the trend predicted by theory. Recently observed downturn in the dynamical moment of inertia is shown to be related to the saturation of the aligned angular momentum.