The proton-rich nucleus \(^{134}\)Sm has been studied up to high spin and the level scheme has been extended beyond the six transitions previously reported in the ground-state band. Levels beyond E\(_{x}\) = 4 MeV and up to I\(^{\pi }\) = (16\(^{+}\)) have been identified. The first nucleon alignment in the yrast positive-parity structure has been established at a rotational frequency of \(\approx\) 0.30 MeV, and is attributed to the breaking of a h\(_{11/2}\) proton pair. A negative-parity structure with its bandhead at E\(_{x}\) = 2061 keV and I\(^{\pi }\) = (7\(^{-}\)) has been identified and is attributed to the excitation of protons in the h\(_{11/2}\) and g\(_{7/2}\) orbitals. Cranked shell model calculations using the Ultimate Cranker code with standard Nilsson parameters indicate a prolate deformed minimum which persists to high frequencies. The calculated proton alignment frequency is in good agreement with the experimental value, and the neutron crossing is expected at a significantly higher frequency on account of the N = 72 deformed subshell gap.
