Core-coupled protons, $f_{7/2}$ intruder states, and competing $g_{9/2}$ proton and neutron structures in $^{65,67}$Cu

The nuclei $^{65,67}$Cu were studied in reactions between a 430-MeV $^{64}$Ni beam and a thick $^{238}$U target with the Gammasphere array. Decay schemes for both nuclei have been extended, with spin and parity assignments constrained by gamma-ray angular distributions and correlations. Positive-parity structures, based on $p_{3/2}$ protons coupled to negative-parity Ni core states, have been identified above the known $9/2^+$ states. In $^{67}$Cu, a negative-parity dipole band built upon a $\pi f_{7/2}^{-1}$ state has been observed, as were two shorter negative-parity sequences. A qualitative description of the level structures has been obtained through comparison with odd-$A$ Cu systematics and neighboring even-even Ni and Zn cores. Shell-model calculations using JUN45 and jj44b effective interactions were performed for $^{65,67}$Cu; the successes and limitations of the calculations will be discussed.