Shell Model Monte Carlo Studies of gamma -Soft Nuclei.

We present shell model Monte Carlo calculations for nuclei in the full major shell 50–82 for both protons and neutrons. For the interaction we use a pairing plus quadrupole derived from a surface-peaked separable force. The methods are illustrated for 124Sn, 128Te, and 124Xe. We calculate shape distributions, moments of inertia, and pairing correlations as functions of temperature and angular velocity. Our calculations are the first microscopic evidence of γ-softness of nuclei in this region.