Excited states in ${}_{}{}^{156}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Gd}$ were populated in the ${}_{}{}^{158}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Gd}\mathrm{}(p,t)\mathrm{}{}_{}{}^{156}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Gd}$ reaction with $E_p=18.0, 20.5, \mathrm{and} 27.6$ MeV. Our results do not confirm the existence of an excited rotational band with reduced moment of inertia compared to the ground state band which was suggested from a previous $p,t$ experiment at $E_p=52\mathrm{}$ MeV.

NUCLEAR REACTIONS ${}_{}{}^{158}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Gd}\mathrm{}(p,t)\mathrm{}$, $E_p=18.0, 20.5, \mathrm{and} 27.6$ MeV measured $\sigma \left(\theta \right)$. ${}_{}{}^{156}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Gd}$ deduced levels. Enriched target.

• Received 24 April 1974

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.10.943