Investigation of excited rotational bands in <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:mrow> <mml:mi>N</mml:mi> <mml:mo>=</mml:mo> <mml:mn>151</mml:mn> </mml:mrow> </mml:math> isotones: Role of pairing correlations, <mml:math xml

The excited rotational bands based on the $\ensuremath{\nu}7/{2}^{+}[624]$ and $\ensuremath{\nu}5/{2}^{+}[622]$ configuration in the odd-$N$ 151 isotones, $^{245}\mathrm{Pu}$, $^{247}\mathrm{Cm}$, and $^{249}\mathrm{Cf}$, are analyzed within the framework of the cranked shell model (CSM) with pairing correlations treated by the particle number conserving method (PNC-CSM), in which blocking effects are precisely accounted for. A systematic analysis of empirical parameters of ground-state bands in even-even nuclei highlights that neutron-rich Pu isotope exhibits stronger pairing correlations, which plays a crucial role in shaping the rotational behavior of the ground and excited bands. Microscopic calculation using PNC-CSM confirmed the relative stronger pairing strengths in neutron-rich $^{245}\mathrm{Pu}$. The experimental kinematic and dynamic moments of inertia are reproduced very well by the PNC-CSM calculations. The odd-$N$ excited bands allow for a comparison of the alignment behavior for two different configurations, where the $\ensuremath{\nu}{j}_{15/2}$ alignment is either blocked or allowed. This study marks the first instance of $\ensuremath{\nu}{j}_{15/2}$ alignment, which is otherwise elusive in nature. The present study demonstrates that the inclusion of higher-order ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{6}$ deformation plays a crucial role in accurately reproducing the alignment behavior observed in $N=151$ isotones. In particular, ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{6}$ deformation significantly delays proton alignment and enhances neutron alignment contributions. Our PNC-CSM calculations confirm that neutron alignment precedes that of ${i}_{13/2}$ protons in $^{249}\mathrm{Cf}$. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{6}$ deformation to correctly describe rotational properties in heavy actinide nuclei.