Magic gaps and intruder levels in triaxially superdeformed nuclei

Nuclear shell model calculations based on a modified harmonic-oscillator potential result in amazingly stable triaxial nuclear shapes. Major gaps in the single-particle energy spectra at proton number 71 and neutron number 94 combine constructively at low and intermediate rotational frequencies. At high frequencies, gaps at proton number 72 and neutron number 97 combine in an equally favourable way. The sizes of the gaps may be as large as 35% of the values for the gaps at the classical magic numbers 50 and 82 at spherical shape. The dependence on the positions of the intruder levels in forming the gaps is discussed. Experimentally observed rotational bands in lutetium (Z = 71) and hafnium (Z = 72) appear in isotopes and frequency ranges, which are consistent with the gaps in the theoretical single-particle energy spectra.