Level structure of /sup 60/Ni from the /sup 58/Ni(. cap alpha. ,2p. gamma. ) reaction

The /sup 60/Ni nucleus has been studied via the /sup 58/Ni(..cap alpha..,2p..gamma..) reaction at E/sub ..cap alpha../ = 32 MeV using in-beam ..gamma.. spectroscopy techniques. High-spin states up to 10 MeV excitation have been established. Among the five branches depopulating the yrast J/sup ..pi../ = 7/sup -/ state has been found an E3 transition down to the 4/sup +/ state. Comparison with direct reaction results suggests the very likely (..nu..f/sub 5/2/,..nu..g/sub 9/2/)/sub 7/- configuration for the J/sup ..pi../ = 7/sup -/ yrast state at 5349 keV, suggesting then the (..nu..(p/sub 1/2/,p/sub 3/2/,f/sub 5/2/ )/sub 2/+/sup 2/ x (..nu..f/sub 5/2/,..nu..g/sub 9/2/)/sub 7/- /sup 2/)/sub 9/- configuration for the J/sup ..pi../ = 9/sup -/ yrast state. Other high-spin states might be accounted for by the breaking of the /sup 56/Ni core.