(p,d) REACTIONS ON NUCLEI FROM V TO Ni

Pickup (p,d) reactions on /sup 51/V, /sup 52/Cr, /sup 55/Mn, /sup 54/Fe, /sup 56 /Fe, /sup 57/Fe, /sup 58/Fe, /sup 59/Co, /sup 58/Ni, and /sup 60/Ni were studied usin g 17.0and 18.5-Mev protons. The experimental results were analyzed using the predictions of a direct-reaction model using distorted waves. The distorted-wave theory predicted quite accurately the dependence of cross section on bombarding energy, while the plane wave theory failed in that respect. The ground states of /sup 51/V, /sup 52/Cr, and /sup 54/Fe were found to have almost pure (1f/sub 7/2/)/sup 8/ neutron configurations, thus furnishing more evidence that the 1f/sub 7/2/ neutron shell is a major shell. The results for the heavier nuclei indicate a stroag mixing of 1f/sub 5/2/ and 2p neutrons in the ground state. The spin assignments obtained for a few levels are in disagreement with gamma -ray angular correlation measurements. (auth)