Measurements of neutron-induced reaction cross-sections for ⁵⁸Ni, ⁶³Cu and ⁵⁹Co from threshold to 20 MeV

We report new measurements of relevance to inelastic scattering of ⁵⁸Ni with the (n,n'g) technique in the energy range from threshold to 9 MeV. These measurements were obtained at the GELINA time-of-flight facility of IRMM using two Ge detectors with 8 ns time-resolution at the 200 m flight path. Here we present preliminary results for the gamma-ray production cross sections of the 2⁺₁ → gs transition, that represents the inelastic cross section up to 2459 keV excitation energy, and of the 4⁺₁ → 2⁺₁ transition. Also, new results are presented for the ⁵⁸Ni(n,p)^58m+gCo, ⁵⁸Ni(n,p)^58mCo, ⁵⁸Ni(n,x)⁵⁷Co, ⁵⁸Ni(n,2n)⁵⁷Ni, ^natNi(n,x)^60m+gCo, ⁶⁰Ni(n,p)^60mCo, ⁵⁹Co(n,2n)^58m+gCo, ⁵⁹Co(n,2n)^58mCo, and ⁶³Cu(n,α)^60m+gCo reactions cross sections measured with the activation technique, predominantly for incident energies above 14 MeV. The new data in their energy range are either unique, or allow to establish the respective excitation curves unambiguously. Finally, revised neutron optical models and gamma-ray strength functions are presented based on recent fast neutron total cross section measurements and capture cross section measurements in the resolved and unresolved resonance region. All new results are compared with results from other authors, evaluations and new model calculations. For ⁵⁸Ni all recent measured activation data can be described well with a physical model, indicating a well understood database that is physically consistent. (author)