Transition strengths in odd-odd Nb-86 - art. no. 024316

High angular momentum states in odd-odd Nb-86 Were populated through the Ni -58(S-32,3pn) reaction at 135 MeV. Recoiling Nb-86 nuclei were stopped in a thick Ta backing. Prompt multi-gamma coincidences with evaporated charged particles were detected using the full array of Gammasphere and thr Microba ll. Mean lifetimes of 51 levels in Nb-86 were measured using the Doppler-sh ift attenuation method. Strongly alternating magnetic dipole transition str engths were observed in the yrast positive-parity bands. Most of the transi tion quadrupole moments inferred from the lifetimes lie in the range of 1 t o 2.7 eb, which would correspond to quadrupole deformations beta(2) Of 0.10 to 0.27 in a rotational model. Comparison with Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov cra nking calculations suggests triaxial to oblate shapes.