  The neutron-rich Ni isotopes have attracted attention in recent years due to
the occurrence of shape or configuration coexistence. We report on the
difference in population of excited final states in 70Ni following gamma-ray
tagged one-proton, one-neutron, and two-proton knockout from 71Cu, 71Ni, and
72Zn rare-isotope beams, respectively. Using variations observed in the
relative transition intensities, signaling the changed population of specific
final states in the different reactions, the role of neutron and proton
configurations in excited states of 70Ni is probed schematically, with the goal
of identifying those that carry, as leading configuration, proton excitations
across the Z = 28 shell closure. Such states are suggested in the literature to
form a collective structure associated with prolate deformation. Adding to the
body of knowledge for 70Ni, 29 new transitions are reported, of which 15 are
placed in its level scheme.
