Shape evolution and test of the critical-point symmetry X(5) in 176Os

The lifetimes of excited states in the yrast band of ¹⁷⁶Os have been measured up to I=20h level using the Doppler shift attenuation method. The high-spin states of ¹⁷⁶Os were populated via fusion evaporation reaction ¹⁵²Sm(²⁸Si, 4n)¹⁷⁶Os at a beam energy of 140 MeV. The results support an X(5) structure for ¹⁷⁶Os at low spin. This structure disappears at high spin and shows a symmetry rotor character. The shape change of ¹⁷⁶Os is similar to that of ¹⁷⁸Os.