High spin states in the transitional nucleus88Mo

The reaction⁵⁸Ni(³⁶Ar,α qρ)⁸⁸Mo has been studied at 145 MeV beam energy. A detector array consisting of the OSIRIS spectrometer, four charged-particleΔE detectors and seven NE213 neutron detectors has been used to meaure the gamma radiation inγγ- and particle-γγ-coincidence mode. The level scheme of⁸⁸Mo has been extended up to 11.6 MeV excitation energy and probable spin 23?; some 70 transitions and 40 levels have been identified. Spin assignments have been proposed on the basis of measured DCO ratios. Hartree Fock cranking calculations of the Total Routhians and shell model calculations of the high spin states are presented which imply near-sphericity of the yrast line up to the highest spins found. A classification of the high spin states according to their leading seniority is proposed.