High-spin states have been studied in the neutron-deficient odd-$N$ ${}^{127}\mathrm{Ce}$ and ${}^{129}\mathrm{Ce}$ isotopes, produced in ${}^{100}\mathrm{Mo}$(${}^{32}\mathrm{S}$,$5n\gamma$) and ${}^{100}\mathrm{Mo}$(${}^{34}\mathrm{S}$,$5n\gamma$) reactions, using the Euroball and Eurogam $\gamma$-ray spectrometers, respectively. A quadruples analysis (${\gamma }^4$) of the coincident $\gamma$-ray data has established new band structures in ${}^{127,129}\mathrm{Ce}$ and extended the known bands to higher spin. In addition, links have been established between two positive-parity bands in ${}^{127}\mathrm{Ce}$ allowing a reassignment of $I^{\pi }=1/2^{+}$ to the ground state of this nucleus. Configuration assignments are made by comparison of band properties with cranked Woods-Saxon calculations and systematics of other light odd-$N$ cerium isotopes. Unusually large signature splitting in the negative-parity bands is discussed in terms of nonaxial nuclear shapes induced by the core-polarization effects of $h_{11/2}$ neutrons.

• Received 21 August 2009

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.80.054312