Characterization of High-Spin Excited States in the Nucleus 60Ni

This work presents the results of an experimental study of the excited states of the 60Ni nucleus. High-Spin and highly energetic states in the 60Ni nucleus were populated using fusion-evaporation reactions. Gamma-rays were detected using the Ge-detector array Gammasphere operated in conjunction with ancillary detectors for charged-particles, neutrons and residual nuclei. An extended level scheme for the 60Ni nucleus has been constructed. More than 270 gamma-ray transitions from 114 levels up to an excitation energy of 23 MeV were studied. Seven deformed structures were identified in the 60Ni nucleus, six of them for first time, at high-spin high excitation energy. The theoretical analysis of these structures was performed using Cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky calculations.