Near yrast study of the fpg shell nuclei {sup 58}Ni, {sup 61}Cu, and {sup 61}Zn

The medium spin, near yrast states of the fpg shell nuclei {sup 58}Ni, {sup 61}Cu, and {sup 61}Zn have been studied following the fusion evaporation of a {sup 24}Mg beam and a {sup 40}Ca target. Discrete transitions were unambiguously identified using the AYEBALL gamma-ray array in conjunction with the Argonne fragment mass analyzer and a split anode ionization chamber. The decay schemes of {sub 28}{sup 58}Ni, {sub 29}{sup 61}Cu, and {sub 30}{sup 61}Zn have been extended with the results of gamma-gamma coincidences and directional correlation from oriented state measurements used to determine the level excitation energies, spins, and parities of a number of near yrast states. The decay schemes deduced are compared with previous work and interpreted in terms of shell model calculations, with a restricted basis of the f{sub 5/2}, p{sub 3/2}, p{sub 1/2} orbitals outside a {sub 28}{sup 56}Ni core, and either the g{sub 9/2} orbital with a closed core, or f{sub 7/2} excitations from the core. (c) 1999 The American Physical Society.