Test of predicted deformation-driving effects in ¹⁷³Re

Lifetime measurements on the 5 2⁺[402] band in ¹⁷³Re have been carried out by the recoil-distance technique. Lifetimes of the stretched E2 transitions in both signatures of this band were measured up to a spin of 35 2⁺ as were the lifetimes of most of the M1 transitions between the two signatures. Large deformation increases were found in both signatures at low rotational frequencies (h {combining short solidus overlay}ω≈160 keV) as predicted by TRS calculations and, thus, offer new insight into the behavior of the 5 2⁺[402] band in ¹⁷³Re and perhaps into other light nuclei in this region. The B(M1) values also show an increase at about the same rotational frequency. Particle-rotor calculations can account qualitatively for the observed transition rates.