Isomer Spectroscopy in Odd--Even Ti Isotopes: Approaching $N=40$

Our understanding of the evolution of the shell structure in nuclei far from stability is based on the study of some key nuclei. Nuclei at or next to double shell closures play a special role in this. Presently, a lot of discussion is concentrated on the neutron-rich calcium isotopes, which provide a rich testing ground for various nuclear models with several traditional and new magic numbers. Ca-60 is now almost within reach with the most advanced radioactive beam facilities. In order to investigate the evolution of the shell gap at N = 40, the configuration of states in the odd-even titanium isotopes up to N = 37 (Ti-59) have been studied. In order to experimentally access the shell gap at N = 40, it is nowadays within the reach of the most advanced facility the investigation of neutron hole configuration states in odd-even titanium isotopes up to N = 37, in the Ti-59 nucleus. Such states correspond to relatively simple configurations that constitute a challenging testing ground for effective nuclear interactions. The new data obtained in our experiment allows to place the present predictions concerning the shell closure at N = 40 in the calcium region on a more solid ground.