Identification of the g(9/2)-proton bands in the neutron-rich Ga-71,Ga-73,Ga-75,Ga-77 nuclei

Excited states in the odd-AGa71,73,75,77 nuclei have been populated in deep-inelastic reactions of a Ge76 beam at 530 MeV with a thick U238 target. High-spin sequences built upon the 9/2+, 5/2-, and 3/2- states were identified in all four isotopes. A comparison of the observed structures with the yrast positive-parity states in the neighboring even-even Zn cores indicates that the newly identified levels may be regarded as arising from the relatively weak coupling of the odd proton to the core states. However, significant contributions from broken pairs are expected to be present in this region of excitation energy. The present data set also provides clarification of previously reported decay paths of the low-energy levels in Ga71,73,75,77. © 2009 The American Physical Society.