  A method is proposed and tested for the analysis of Delta I=2 staggering
observed in nuclear rotational bands. We examine six super- and hyper-deformed
bands, among which that of 149Gd and possibly of 147Gd seem to exhibit real
staggering. However, we emphasize that the presence of staggering may not
necessarily imply the occurrence of bifurcation. It is also shown that a
similar staggering seen in normally deformed bands is a manifestation of band
crossings. A more extensive analysis is planned.

Nuclear Theory