Do nucleons in abnormal-parity states contribute to deformation?

We consider intrinsic states of highly deformed nuclei in the framework of the universal Woods-Saxon model and show that valence nucleons in abnormal-parity high-j states contribute ∼20% to the electric quadrupole moments of these nuclei. Similarly, we show that in the single-shell asymptotic Nilsson model this contribution is ∼25% if reasonable effective charges are employed. We discuss, at some length, procedures used to arrive at reasonable effective charges. Both models reproduce the measured B(E2;01+→21+) values in the rare-earth and actinide regions without the need for normalization constants. No support is found for the assumption made in the pseudo-SU(3) and the fermion dynamic symmetry models that valence nucleons in abnormal-parity high-j states do not contribute to deformation. This counterintuitive assumption leads to an underestimate of the B(E2;01+→21+) values, which is compensated in these models by the use of appropriate normalization constants. Once the magnitudes are fixed, both models do correctly reproduce the B(E2) trends