Fine structure in the a decay of Lu-156 and Ta-158

Fine structure in the alpha decay of high-spin states in Lu-156 and Ta-158 has been identified by means of alpha gamma-coincidence analysis. One new alpha decay from Lu-156 and two from Ta-158 were identified, one of which was found to populate a previously unknown state in Lu-154. The hindrance-factor systematics from all four odd-odd, N = 85 nuclei with known alpha-decaying, pi h(11/2) coupled states were reviewed and are discussed. These proved consistent with the previously assigned (pi h(11/2)nu h(9/2))10(+) configuration of the alpha-decaying state in Lu-156, which differs from the (pi h(11/2 nu)f(7/2))9(+) assignments in the other three nuclei.