Intrinsic proton states around the superdeformed shell closure [Formula Presented]

High spin states in [Formula Presented] have been populated by the [Formula Presented] reaction at 110 MeV and γ-ray spectroscopy was performed using the EUROGAM II array. In addition to the two known superdeformed (SD) bands, three new superdeformed bands have been identified. The dynamic moments of inertia of two of these new bands display a sudden and opposite change of slope and two of them have identical transition energies within 2 keV. The behavior of their dynamic moments of inertia and their γ transitions allowed us to propose configurations for the proton orbitals involved around the SD shell closure [Formula Presented] The intrinsic proton states identified are the two signature partners of the [Formula Presented] and the negative signature of the [Formula Presented] orbitals. Their properties are compared to the predictions of two theoretical calculations. © 1998 The American Physical Society.