Observation of γ-delayed 3α breakup of the 15.11 and 12.71 MeV states in C

The reactions at 4.9 MeV and at 8.5 MeV have been used to investigate the γ decay of states in ¹²C. By measuring the four-body final state in complete kinematics we are able to detect γ transitions indirectly. We find γ transitions from the 15.11 MeV state in ¹²C to the 12.71, 11.83, 10.3 and 7.65 MeV states followed by their breakup into three α particles. The relative γ-ray branching ratios obtained are (1.2±0.3), (0.32±0.12), (1.4±0.2) and (4.4±0.8)%, respectively, with the remaining (92.7±1.0)% of the γ decays going to the bound states. We obtain Γ_α/Γ=(2.8±1.2)% for the isospin-forbidden α decay of the 15.11 MeV state. From the 12.71 MeV state we find γ transitions to the 10.3 and 7.65 MeV states. The relative γ-ray branching ratios are and , respectively, with the remaining of the γ decays going to the bound states. Finally, we discuss the relation between the β decay of ¹²N and ¹²B to states in ¹²C and the γ decay of the 15.11 MeV analog in ¹²C to the same states.