In nuclear physics, hyperdeformation is theoretically predicted states of an atomic nucleus with an extremely elongated shape and a very high angular momentum. Less elongated states, superdeformation, have been well observed, but the experimental evidence for hyperdeformation is more limited. Hyperdeformed states correspond to an axis ratio of 3:1. They would be caused by a third minimum in the potential energy surface, the second causing superdeformation and the first minimum being normal deformation. Hyperdeformation is predicted to be found in excited states of 107Cd especially.
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