The $\Delta I=1\mathrm{}$ staggering (odd-even staggering) in octupole bands of light actinides is found to exhibit a “beat” behavior as a function of the angular momentum I, forcing us to revise the traditional belief that this staggering decreases gradually to zero and then remains at this zero value. Various algebraic models [spf-interacting boson model (spdf-IBM), vector boson model, nuclear vibron model] are shown to predict in their su(3) limits constant staggering for this case, being thus unable to describe the “beat” behavior. An explanation of the “beat” behavior is given in terms of two Dunham expansions [expansions in terms of powers of $I(I+1\mathrm{})\mathrm{}]$ with slightly different sets of coefficients for the ground-state band and the negative parity band, the difference in the values of the coefficients being attributed to Coriolis couplings to other negative parity bands. Similar “beat” patterns have already been seen in rotational bands of some diatomic molecules, like AgH.

• Received 18 October 1999

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.62.024301