Soft chiral vibrations in 106Mo

High-spin states in neutron-rich 106Mo were investigated by detecting the prompt γ-rays in the spontaneous fission of 252Cf with Gammasphere. Several new bands are observed. Two sets of ΔI = 1 bands in 106Mo are found to have all the characteristics of a new class of chiral vibrational doublets. Tilted axis cranking calculations support the chiral assignment and indicate that the chirality is generated by neutron h11/2 particle and mixed d5/2, g7/2 hole coupled to the short and long axis, repectively.