Abstract
Excited states in {sup 86,88}Mo have been identified using recoil-{gamma} and {gamma}{gamma} coincidences. Energy-level systematics of the molybdenum isotopes from the {ital N}={ital Z} line to the {ital N}=50 shell closure are compared to their strontium and zirconium neighbors. This comparison, an estimate of the {ital B}({ital E}2) strengths, and a Woods-Saxon cranking model have been used to suggest that the molybdenum isotopes undergo a transition from spherical to moderately deformed shapes at {sup 86}Mo.