Observation of excited states in the near-drip-line nucleus ${}^{125}\mathrm{Pr}$

High-spin states have been observed in the near-drip-line nucleus ${}^{125}\mathrm{Pr}$ following the reaction ${}^{64}\mathrm{Zn}{(}^{64}\mathrm{Zn},p2n).\mathrm{}$ The detection of charged particles and neutrons evaporated from the compound system, along with the $M/q$ of the recoiling nucleus, have allowed the identification of excited states in ${}^{125}\mathrm{Pr}$ and the unambiguous assignment of five rotational structures to this nucleus. This is the most neutron-deficient Pr isotope in which excited states have been observed. The strongest band is identified as the $h_{11/2}$ single-quasiproton configuration, and is observed to a maximum spin of $I=(67/2\mathrm{}ħ).\mathrm{}$ Another structure is interpreted as the $g_{9/2}$ proton hole state, which is associated with bands of enhanced deformation observed in several nuclei in this mass region. These two bands are compared with analogous bands in the heavier odd-$A$ Pr isotopes and changes in deformation are discussed.