Development of (p,p') detection capabilities at iThemba LABS through the study of low-lying E1 strength in ⁵⁸Ni

This work is a feasibility study designed to test and develop the (p,p'gamma) detection capabilities at iThemba LABS when the K600 magnetic spectrometer at 0. is coupled to an array of high purity germanium and cerium-doped lanthanum bromide detectors. This is done through an investigation into the low-lying E1 strength of Ni-58 with a proton beam of E-p = 80 MeV. The coincidence matrix of the energies of the excited states and the subsequent gamma decays is presented and decays to the first excited state and ground state were identified. The results of this study are compared with previous (alpha,alpha'gamma) studies.