a-particle scattering from Ni isotopes at Eα = 172.5 MeV

Abstract Differential cross sections have been measured for the elastic and inelastic scattering of 172.5 MeV α-particles from 58,60,62,64 Ni nuclei. The analysis of the experimental data of elastic scattering in terms of optical potentials indicates an increasing neutron skin thickness in the isotopic sequence from 58 Ni to 64 Ni. Coupled-channel analyses based on the anharmonic vibrational model approach determine the values of the dynamic deformation parameters for the most strongly excited states rather precisely and reveal enhanced hexadecapole (0 + → 4 + 1 ) transitions. Using an implicit folding-model procedure with a correction for the density dependence of the effective α N interaction, isoscalar transition rates are extracted and compared to electromagnetic results.