Multiple octupole excitations in Gd-148

The lifetime and the gamma-decay to the Of ground state of the lowest 3(-) state in Gd-148 has been determined. The reduced strength B(E3, 3(-) --> 0( +)) = 41 (6) W.u. agrees well with the theoretical value from empirical she ll model calculations and can be directly compared with the 12(+) --> 9(-) two-octupole-phonon --> one-octupole-phonon strength obtained in the same R ecoil Distance Method lifetime measurement. The results of our search for a three octupole-phonon state built on the (nu f(7/2))(6+)(2) state is also reported.