It is demonstrated by a fluctuation analysis based on the assumption of a Wigner distribution for the nuclear level spacings and of a Porter-Thomas distribution for the transition strengths that significant parts of the dipole strength excited in photon scattering experiments in heavy, deformed odd-mass nuclei are hidden in the background of the experimental spectra. With this additional strength, the heretofore claimed severe reduction of the $B\left(M1\mathrm{}\right)$ scissors mode strength in odd-mass nuclei compared to the one in neighboring even-even nuclei disappears.

• Received 2 June 1997

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.79.2010