Search for hyperdeformation in ${}_{}{}^{146,147}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Gd}$

A search was undertaken to look for evidence of hyperdeformation in ${}_{}{}^{146,147}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Gd}$. Three experiments employing Gammasphere for gamma-ray detection coupled with the Microball for channel selection via charged particle detection were carried out with increasing detection sensitivity and statistics. No definitive evidence for band structures that could be assigned to hyperdeformation could be found. Candidates previously reported are shown not to have properties consistent with a band structure. © 1996 The American Physical Society.