Single particle configurations in Ni61

Excited states of the $^{61}\mathrm{Ni}$ ($Z=28,N=33$) nucleus have been probed using heavy-ion-induced fusion evaporation reaction and an array of Compton suppressed germanium (clover) detectors as detection system for the emitted $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays. Seventeen new transitions have been identified and placement of six transitions have been modified with respect to the previous measurements, following which the level scheme of the nucleus has been extended up to an excitation energy ${E}_{x}\ensuremath{\approx}7$ MeV and spin $\ensuremath{\approx}10\ensuremath{\hbar}$. Higher excitations involving the ${g}_{9/2}$ orbital in the $fpg$ model space have been established. The experimental results on the level structure of the nucleus have been interpreted in the light of large basis shell model calculations that lead to an understanding of the single particle configurations underlying the level structure of the nucleus. The comparison can be suggestive of further refinements in the shell model interactions for better overlap of the theoretical results with the experimental data.