Identification of high spin states in neutron-rich 113,115,117Pd nuclei

New band structures in the neutron-rich ^113,115,117Pd nuclei have been constructed by measuring the γ-γ-γ coincidences emitted from the spontaneous fission of ²⁵²Cf with GAMMASPHERE. The triple γ-ray coincidence data revealed new negative-parity bands built on 11/2^- isomeric states in ^113,115,117Pd. These bands built on the νh_11/2 orbital suggest a band crossing at a frequency of ħω~0.45 MeV. The rotational behavior and energy level spacings of these bands suggest a prolate shape. Two previously unreported bands are also observed in ^113,115Pd and tentatively assigned positive parity. These have band crossings at 0.25 and 0.32 MeV.