Rotational structures in ¹²⁹Nd and signature splitting systematics of the νh_11/2 bands in A ∼ 130 nuclei

High-spin states in ¹²⁹Nd were populated in the reaction ⁹²Mo(⁴⁰Ca, 2pn) with beam energies of 170 and 184 MeV in two separate experiments. Over 140 new transitions were placed in a level scheme that consists of four rotational structures, three of which have been observed for the first time. The bands were assigned configurations based on their B(M 1)/B(E2) ratios (for the strongly coupled bands), aligned angular momentum, observed band crossings, and signature splitting. Evidence for of the observation of the deformation driving νi_13/2[660] 1/2 orbital is presented. Signature splitting trends in the νh_11/2 bands of A ∼ 130 nuclei are investigated within the framework of the cranked shell model. Comparisons are made with observations in the πh_11/2 bands near A ∼ 160.