Evolution from γ-soft to stable triaxiality in ¹³⁶Nd as a prerequisite of chirality

The level structure of ¹³⁶Nd has been investigated using the ¹⁰⁰Mo(⁴⁰Ar, 4n) reaction and the JUROGAM II+RITU+GREAT setup. The level scheme has been extended significantly. Many new bands have been identified both at low and high spin, among which are five nearly degenerate bands interpreted as chiral partners. Excitation energies, spins, and parities of the previously known bands are revised and firmly established, and some previously known bands have been revised. Configurations are assigned to the observed bands based on cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky calculations. The band structure of ¹³⁶Nd is now clarified and the various types of single-particle and collective excitations are well understood.