Properties of rotational excitations in odd mass Dy isotopes

The data on high-spin rotational states in¹⁵⁵Dy,¹⁵⁷Dy,¹⁵⁹Dy and¹⁶¹Dy are discussed within a model where a particle is coupled to a rotor with a variable moment of inertia. In this model there is often a definite improvement in the quality and stability of the fits to levels in the positive-parity band below spin 25/2 when the moment of inertia of the core exhibits a linear dependence on the square of the rotational angular velocity as compared to the situation where a linear dependence onI(I+1) is assumed. In the improved fits the empirical matrix elements of the Coriolis force exhibit a smooth and significant increase with decreasing moment of inertia. The rotational energies above spin 25/2 in the positive-parity band and above 19/2 in the 11/2^? 505] band are understood within the present theoretical model if the moment of inertia increases more rapidly than the linear trend established at lower spin. In the 11/2^? 505] band this increase follows rather closely the behaviour in the even nuclei whereas in the positive-parity band the curves are quite flat even beyond the point where the moment of inertia in the even nuclei exhibits a discontinuous or back-bending behaviour. The significance of this observation is discussed in the light of existing theories on nuclear moments of inertia.