High spin states in As-68 have been studied using the Fe-56(N-14,2n)As
-68, Ni-58 (C-12,pn)As-68, and Ti-46(Mg-25,p2n)As-68 reactions. New hi
gh spin states have been observed including a band structure above the
known 2160 keV isomeric state. A microscopic description based on the
EXCITED VAMPIR model for negative and positive parity states in As-68
is presented. A possible mechanism to populate the observed high spin
isomeric state is proposed. The complex structure of the As-68 nucleu
s is caused essentially by specific shape coexistence effects.