Abstract
Excited states in the very neutron deficient isotope Nb83 were observed for the first time in the reaction Si-28(Ni-58,2np)Nb83 at 195 MeV. Identification was made with a recoil separator and a cross section of sigma = 180(80) mu-b was estimated. Eight transitions were arranged in a level scheme which resembles the N = 41 isotones Kr77 and Sr79 rather than the heavier, weakly deformed Nb isotopes. This suggests that a shape transition to strong deformation exists in the light Nb isotopes. A ground state spin of 5/2+ is suggested.