Nuclear level lifetimes in the A = 194 region

The interest in superdeformation in the A = 194 region has led to in-beam studies of neutron deficient nuclei throughout this mass region. For example, work in many laboratories has resulted in identification of superdeformed (SD) bands in 189-194Hg and 192,194,196,198Pb, in 191-195Tl, and recently in 191Au. Oblate ΔI=1 bands have been reported in neutron deficient 193,196Hg, 192,194,196-201Pb, and 202Bi. Lifetime measurements (DSAM and recoil distance technique) provide information key to the understanding of the nuclear structure of these states. Such measurements have been completed for some of these nuclei, and further measurements are in progress. These measurements and their results are discussed