Spectroscopy of neutron-rich palladium and cadmium isotopes near A=120

New high-spin levels have been identified in the nucleus {sup 120}Pd from analysis of the coincidence gamma rays observed in the {sup 238}U({alpha}, f{gamma}{gamma}{gamma}) reaction. Recoiling fragments were detected with the Rochester heavy-ion detector array, CHICO, in coincidence with gamma-rays using Gammasphere. An A=110-130 mass-gated {gamma} - {gamma} - {gamma} cube from this experiment was constructed and analyzed for coincident gamma-rays in several nuclei near A=120. New results for neutron-rich {sup 118}Pd and {sup 120}Pd have been obtained. The {sup 120}Pd level scheme was extended to spin of 10{sup +} by building on the new low-energy gamma rays identified in decay studies of {sup 120}Rh. The details of the {sup 118}Pd level scheme derived from this work are compared to previous work. The systematics of the yrast levels in even-even Pd and Cd isotopes are presented and the symmetry of energy levels around N = 68 is discussed. A new 10{sup +} level in {sup 124}Cd has been observed. The population intensity of even-even neutron-rich Cd isotopes is deduced, indicating that nuclides near {sup 120}Cd are preferentially populated following alpha-induced fission of {sup 238}U