Discrete and continuum Gamma-ray studies of 147Gd and 148Gd

Discrete and continuum γ-ray studies of the N = 83, 84 nuclei 147Gd and 148Gd have been performed using (36S, 5n) and (36S, 4n) reactions on 116Cd. The level schemes of both nuclei have been extended to excitation energies above 18.5 MeV, with assigned spins up to 832 in 147Gd and up to 46in 148Gd. Evidence for a change in character along the yrast line from single particle to collective was found at the highest spins in 148Gd, but not in 147Gd. For 148Gd a study of γγ correlation matrices revealed a ridge-valley structure with a ridge spacing indicative of superdeformation. No evidence for a similar structure in 147Gd was found.