Energy staggering in octupole bands in deformed nuclei is studied. The data show dramatic variations, even reversals, and a singularity in the staggering, across the rare-earth region. A simple model analysis, which is almost parameter independent, is able to reproduce the phenomenology, including the discontinuity, and is amenable to a simple physical interpretation.

• Received 9 December 1991

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.45.R2545