An angular momentum projected potential-energy-surface (PES) calculation, which takes both rotational symmetry restoration and multi-quasiparticle excitation into account, is developed by using the macroscopic-microscopic model and the projected shell model (PSM). Within this method, it may become possible to modify the excitation spectra which are influenced by shape-softness of nuclei, including high- K states. As our first example, this method is adopted to study the collective and multi-quasiparticle excitations of 178 Hf, and the results are in good agreement with the existing experimental data. In addition, as for the dominant structure of non-collective 6 + bands, the conflict between experimental result and the previous PSM calculation is clarified.

High-spin states in 157 Yb have been populated in the 144 Sm( 16 O, 3n) 157 Yb fusion-evaporation reaction at a beam energy of 85 MeV, and two rotational bands have been established for the first time. Within the framework of the triaxial particle-rotor model, the energy spectra and single-particle configurations of 157 Yb are investigated. The calculated energy spectra agree well with the experimental data. The newly observed ν f 7/2 band, and the previously known ν i 13/2 band in 157 Yb, are also discussed by means of Total-Routhian-Surface methods. The structural characters observed in 157 Yb provide evidence for the shape coexistence of three distinct shapes: prolate, triaxial and oblate. At higher spins, both the ν f 7/2 band and the ν i 13/2 band in 157 Yb undergo a shape evolution with sizable alignments occurring.