Multi-quasiparticle and rotational structures in ¹⁷⁹W: Fermi alignment, the ifK-selection rule and blocking

High-spin states in ¹⁷⁹W have been studied following the ¹⁷⁰Er(su13C, 4n) reaction. Rotational bands up to ifI 53 2 have been identified, based on 1-, 3-, 5- and 7-quasiparticle structures. Different alignment mechanisms compete in the generation of angular momentum at the yrast line. A Fermi-aligned if(i _{13 2})² structure, coupled to high-K and to the if 7 2^-[514] orbital, forms the negative-parity yrast sequence above ifI^π = 31 2^-. This may be called a "t-band" since its description within the cranking model requires a "tilting" of the cranking axis. The anomalous decay of the ifK^π = 35 2^- 5-quasiparticle isomer is explained as arising from destructive interference of transition amplitudes coupling to the Fermi-aligned structure. Detailed analysis of the excitation energies of the multi-quasiparticle states indicates the quenching of both neutron and proton pair correlations, by comparison with blocking calculations.