HEXADECAPOLE-PHONON VERSUS DOUBLE-GAMMA-PHONON INTERPRETATION FOR K-PI+4+ BANDS IN DEFORMED EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI

Recent interpretations of K(pi) = 4+ bands as double-gamma phonons in even-even nuclei of the deformed rare earth region are shown to be in serious conflict with single-nucleon-transfer results and other data. The main argument for the double-gamma-phonon interpretation, the existence of large B(E2) values connecting the K(pi) = 4+ bands with gamma bands, and all other available data, including E4 strengths, single-nucleon-transfer results, allowed beta decays, etc., are explained if the 4+ bands are predominantly hexadecapole vibrations, or g-boson structures.