High-spin phenomena in atomic nuclei

A description of high-spin phenomena in atomic nuclei is presented from both the experimental and theoretical points of view. The characteristic features of collective nuclear motion, such as rotational bands, band crossings, and backbending, as well as noncollective aspects, like high-spin isomers and irregular decay patterns, are discussed in detail. Recent achievements of the cranking model including the independent quasiparticle and the shell correction methods are reviewed. Changes in the structure of nuclei excited up to the highest possible angular momenta are analyzed; in particular, angular momentum alignment effects, shape changes, possible phase transitions, and sudden rearrangements in the single-particle structure are discussed. Phenomena related to the nuclear quasicontinuum spectra are also examined.