(p, d) Reactions on Nuclei from V to Ni

Pickup ($p, d$) reactions on ${\mathrm{V}}^{51}$, ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{52}$, ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{55}$, ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{54}$, ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{56}$, ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{57}$, ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{58}$, ${\mathrm{Co}}^{59}$, ${\mathrm{Ni}}^{58}$, and ${\mathrm{Ni}}^{60}$ have been studied using 17.0- and 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 ${\mathrm{V}}^{51}$, ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{52}$, and ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{54}$ were found to have almost pure ${\left(1\mathrm{}{f}_{\frac{7}{2}}\right)}^8$ neutron configurations, thus furnishing more evidence that the $1f_{\frac{7}{2}}$ neutron shell is a major shell. The results for the heavier nuclei indicate a strong mixing of $1f_{\frac{5}{2}}$ and $2p$ neutrons in the ground state. The spin assignments obtained for a few levels are in disagreement with $\gamma$-ray angular correlation measurements.