Lifetimes and the decay-out of superdeformed bands around A=190

The results of lifetime measurements an low-lying superdeformed (SD) states in the mass-190 region are summarized. Recoil distance Doppler-shift experiments were performed with the large gamma-ray arrays GASP and Gammasphere employing the Cologne plunger device. The results show that decay out of the SD bands is governed by a weak mixing of cold SD with hot normal deformed (ND) states. Estimates for squared ND mixing amplitudes a(n)(2) and the maximum spreading width Gamma(max)(down arrow) of the SD states are presented and compared to theoretical predictions. The known linking transitions in Hg-194 and Pb-194 show no enhanced transition strength, supporting the assumption of a statistical decay of the hot ND states. Monte Carlo calculations based on a nearest neighbor mixing approach are presented and the spin dependence of Gamma(down arrow) is discussed.