Closely related high spin states in ${}_{}{}^{206}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Bi}$, ${}_{}{}^{208}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Bi}$, and ${}_{}{}^{210}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Bi}$ are preferentially excited in the ${}_{}{}^{204,206,208}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Pb}(\alpha , d)$ reaction at 48 MeV. The character of these states can be understood from the selectivity of the ($\alpha , d$) transfer mechanism and experimental systematics. Microscopic distorted-wave Born approximation predictions are consistent with new $J^{\pi }$ assignments for 14 strongly excited states with $9\le J\le 14$. The accuracy of standard distored-wave Born approximation predictions for $\mathrm{Pb}(\alpha , d)$ at 48 MeV changes systematically with increasing $L$ transfer from good ($L\le 5$) to poor ($L\ge 11$). This shortcoming is not overcome by full finite range calculations. The strong population of ${10}^{-}$, ${11}^{+}$, ${12}^{+}$, and ${14}^{-}$ states involves the largest $L$ transfers in direct reactions observed to date.

NUCLEAR REACTIONS ${}_{}{}^{204,206,208}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Pb}(\alpha , d)$, $E_{\alpha }=48\mathrm{}$ MeV, measured $\sigma (E_d, \theta )$, resolution 25 keV. DWBA analysis, deduced $l$, $\pi$, $J$ of $J_{max}$ states.

• Received 9 August 1976

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.15.594