The inelastic neutron scattering reaction has been used to populate known $1^{+}$ scissors mode states in the deformed rare-earth nuclei ${}_{}{}^{162}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Dy}$ and ${}_{}{}^{164}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Dy}$. The electromagnetic decay properties of these states have been examined and the Doppler-shift attenuation method has been used to measure directly the lifetimes of these states. The $M1\mathrm{}$ strengths determined are in general agreement with those measured previously in nuclear resonance fluorescence experiments and support the conclusion that these are collective structures; however, a significant discrepancy is found for three states near 3.1 MeV in ${}_{}{}^{164}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Dy}$. Candidates for $2^{+}$ rotational band members have been identified, and a previously suggested $\gamma$-ray branch from a spin-1 state to the $\gamma$ vibration in ${}_{}{}^{164}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Dy}$ has been observed.

• Received 8 September 1994

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.52.2382