Study of the high-spin structure of 144Gd

High-spin states in 144Gd have been investigated through the 108Pd(40Ar, 4n) reaction. An extended level scheme is proposed. A ridge structure has been observed in a γγ coincidence matrix, consistent with energy spacings in the superdeformed bands of neighbouring nuclei. Several discrete high-spin sequences have been observed. They are interpreted in the context of cranked-Strutinsky-type calculations in terms of different coexisting shapes.