First observation of a rotational band in neutron-rich 180Lu

Rotational states assigned to a Kπ=({5}+) band in 71180Lu109 have been populated in the decay of a t1/2 ≥ 1 ms, two-quasiparticle isomer. Delayed γ-ray and x-ray coincidences were observed with the Gammasphere array following the deep-inelastic reaction 92238U + 72180Hf. Gamma-ray coincidence and intensity data, comparisons with the level structure of the neighbouring odd-odd isotone, a g-factor analysis and theoretical predictions of multi-quasiparticle states, all support the assignment of the new band to the neutron-rich nucleus 180Lu. (author). Letter-to-the-editor