Superdeformation In Pb-198, Pb-196

A weakly populated rotational band with energy spacings characteristic of superdeformation has been found in the reaction Sm-154(48Ca,xn) at E(48Ca) = 205 MeV. This band has seven transitions with an average gamma-ray energy spacing of approximately 42 keV. It is assigned to 198Pb on the basis of the excitation-function results. We also confirm the isotopic assignment of a previously reported superdeformed (SD) band in 196Pb via the cross bombardments 176Yb(Mg-26,xn) and 176Yb(Mg-24,xn). Three SD bands have now been identified in the Pb isotopes with neutron numbers 112, 114, and 116.