Yrast band in 122I and band termination

High spin states of the odd-odd nucleus I-122 have been investigated via the fusion-evaporation reaction Cd-116(B-11, (5)n) at a beam energy of 68 MeV. The yrast band is extended up to I-pi = (29(+)). The band termination at I-pi = (22(+)) reported in previous studies is confirmed and interpreted as arising from a shape change from collective prolate to noncollective oblate according to Total-Routhian-Surface (TRS) calculations. In addition, the I-pi =(29(+)) state is assigned to the [pi h(11/2)(pi g(7/2))(2)](23/2-) circle times[(nu h(11/2))(3)(nu d(5/2))(2)](35/2-) configuration corresponding to the full alignment of all valance nucleons outside the semi-closed shell.