Particle-$gamma$ coincidences from the $^{89}$Y($p,p gamma$)$^{89}$Y and $^{89}$Y($d,p gamma$)$^{90}$Y reactions were utilized to obtain $gamma$-ray spectra as function of excitation energy. The Oslo method was used to extract the level density from
the particle-$gamma$ coincidence matrices. The impact of the $N=50$ shell closure on the level densities is discussed within the framework of a combinatorial quasi-particle model.
Particle-gamma coincidences from the 46Ti(p,p gamma)46Ti inelastic scattering reaction with 15-MeV protons are utilized to obtain gamma-ray spectra as a function of excitation energy. The rich data set allows analyzing the coincidence data with vario
us gates on excitation energy. This enables, for many independent data sets, a simultaneous extraction of level density and radiative strength function (RSF). The results are consistent with one common level density. The data seem to exhibit a universal RSF as the deduced RSFs from different excitation energies show only small fluctuations provided that only excitation energies above 3 MeV are taken into account. If transitions to well-separated low-energy levels are included, the deduced RSF may change by a factor of 2-3, which might be expected due to the involved Porter-Thomas fluctuations.
The level density and gamma-ray strength function of 45Ti have been determined by use of the Oslo method. The particle-gamma coincidences from the 46Ti(p,d gamma)45Ti pick-up reaction with 32 MeV protons are utilized to obtain gamma-ray spectra as fu
nction of excitation energy. The extracted level density and strength function are compared with models, which are found to describe these quantities satisfactorily. The data do not reveal any single-particle energy gaps of the underlying doubly magic 40Ca core, probably due to the strong quadruple deformation.
The scandium isotopes 44,45Sc have been studied with the 45Sc(3He,alpha gamma)44Sc and 45Sc(3He,3He gamma)45Sc reactions, respectively. The nuclear level densities and gamma-ray strength functions have been extracted using the Oslo method. The experi
mental level densities are compared to calculated level densities obtained from a microscopic model based on BCS quasiparticles within the Nilsson level scheme. This model also gives information about the parity distribution and the number of broken Cooper pairs as a function of excitation energy. The experimental gamma-ray strength functions are compared to theoretical models of the E1, M1, and E2 strength, and to data from (gamma,n) and (gamma,p) experiments. The strength functions show an enhancement at low gamma energies that cannot be explained by the present, standard models.
