Structure of N=56 isotones with 36 < Z < 42 protons

Excited levels in 92Kr, 96Zr, and 98Mo nuclei were reinvestigated using high-statistics multiple-& gamma; coincidence data measured with the EXILL and FIPPS Ge arrays, following neutron-induced fission of 235U and neutron capture on a 97Mo target, respectively. The experimental goal was to search for new levels, especially with low spins, as well as to firm up spin-parity assignments to known levels. In total of 16 new levels with 64 new or corrected decays and 35 new or improved spin-parity assignments were observed in the three nuclei. We also performed large-scale shell-model calculations to learn more about the microscopic structure of levels in these nuclei. The evolution of collectivity in N = 56 isotones is discussed, stressing the important role of various single-particle excitations, in particular of the & pi;g9/2 orbital, in the shape evolution in the region.