Potential energy surface calculations of nuclear shape transitions and shape coexistence in sup(176,178,180)Pt

Ground-state potential energy surfaces for sup(176,178,180)Pt have been calculated by using the Woods-Saxon single-particle potential and the Strutinsky renormalisation procedure. These potential energy surfaces predict a ground-state shape change from a large prolate deformation for sup(178,180)Pt (β2 approx.= 0.24) to a smaller triaxial deformation for 176Pt with a second minimum developing at large prolate deformation (β approx.= 0.23) above the 4+ state. There is excellent agreement between these independent calculations and recent measurements of the yrast bands in sup(176,178)Pt. (author)