We examine current and velocity fields of rotating deformed nuclei. Although the harmonic oscillator cranking model gives rigid moments of inertia, the velocity field is not a rigid rotation in the examples studied. Such fields are partially observable via electroexcitation, and we compare ${}_{}{}^{12}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{C}$ to experiment. A slight improvement in experimental precision would allow different models to be distinguished.

NUCLEAR REACTIONS Inelastic electron scattering, deformed nuclei; transverse electroexcitation probability, rotational model; ${}_{}{}^{12}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{C}(e,e^{\prime }){}_{}{}^{12}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{C}_{}^{*}{}_{}{}^{}$ (4.4 MeV).

• Received 19 July 1976

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.14.1704