The {pi} h {sub 11/2} band crossing and possible octupole correlations in {sup 122} Ba

High-spin states in {sup 122} Ba have been investigated in the {sup 107} Ag ({sup 19} F, 4n) reaction by in-beam {gamma}-ray spectroscopic methods. The ground-state band has been observed with spin up to 20 {Dirac_h} and a negative-parity band is identified with spin state up to 19 {Dirac_h}. A band-crossing in the yrast band is observed at a rotational frequency of {Dirac_h}{omega}{approx_equal} 0.36 MeV and, in accordance with cranked shell model calculations, is interpreted as arising from the alignment of two h {sub 11/2} protons. Strong E1 transitions between the negative-parity and the yrast bands have been observed, which are proposed as possible evidence for octupole correlations.