Shell-model description of N ~ Z 1f7/2 nuclei

For natural parity states of several odd-A nuclei a comparison of shell model calculations in the full pf configuration space with the Nilsson diagram and particle-rotor predictions shows that prolate strong coupling applies at low excitation energy, revealing multi-quasiparticle rotational bands and, in some cases, bandcrossings. Moreover, ground state bands experience a change from collective to non-collective regime, approaching the termination. Similar features are observed in the even-even nuclei. In the even-even N=Z nuclei evidence of the vibrational gamma-band is found. A review of non-natural parity structures is furthermore presented.