  A general discussion and illustration is given of strength functions for
rotational transitions in two-dimensional E(gamma_1) x E(gamma_2) spectra.
Especially, a narrow component should be proportional to the compound damping
width, related to the mixing of basis rotational bands into compound bands with
fragmented transition strength. Three E(gamma_1) x E(gamma_2) spectra are made
by setting gates on triple coincidences, selecting cascades which feed into
specific low-lying bands in the nucleus 168Hf. In each of the gated spectra, we
find a ridge, carrying about 100 decay paths. This ridge is ascribed to
rotational transitions in the excitation energy range of 1.0 to 1.5 MeV above
the yrast line. The FWHM of the ridges are around 40 keV, about a factor of two
smaller than calculated on the basis of mixed cranked mean field bands.

Nuclear Theory