Evidence for collective oblate rotation in N = Z 68Se

A gamma-ray spectroscopic measurement of the N = Z nucleus 68Se has been made following the 12C(58Ni,2n) reaction at 185 and 220 MeV using Gammasphere and the Argonne Fragment Mass Analyzer. Despite a very low production cross section of 200(50) &mgr;b, two distinct rotational bands were found; the ground state band consistent with oblate collective rotation, and an excited band consistent with prolate rotation. These observations support long-standing predictions that nuclear ground states with substantial oblate (beta(2) approximately -0.3) deformation should exist in this region.