The lifetimes of the $2^{+}$ states of the first excited $K^{\pi }{=0\mathrm{}}^{+}$ band in ${}^{168}$Er and ${}^{164}$Dy have been measured using the $\gamma$-ray induced Doppler broadening technique. Although the deduced uncertainties for the lifetimes are rather large the data indicate that in ${}^{168}$Er the decay to the $\gamma$ band is moderately collective. In ${}^{164}$Dy, however, a less collective decay pattern is observed. The transition rates are compared to the available theoretical descriptions.

• Received 6 June 1997

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.57.569