Spins of resonances in the 12C + 12C system

By measuring angular distributions we have assigned J^π = 6⁺ to a resonance at E_c.m. = 7.50 ±0.05 MeV in the ¹²C + ¹²C system.     

Generator-coordinate study of inelastic α + 12C scattering

A multi-channel calculation performed with the generator coordinate method is presented for α + ¹²C scattering. The inelastic channel α + ¹²C(2⁺) is included. Bound-state and resonance energies are determined for J^π = 0⁺ up to 6⁺. For the negative parity levels, the results are very similar to those obtained with a single-channel calculation. The positive parity resonances are more numerous and in better qualitative agreement with experiment in the multi-channel calculation. However, an incorrect value for the threshold energy α + ¹²C(2⁺) channel prevents one from obtaining a quantitative agreement with experiment.     

Resonant behaviour of the 16O-12C elastic scattering cross section

Resonances in the elastic scattering of ¹⁶O by ¹²C are reported at E_c.m. = 17.29 and 20.79 MeV, with respective J^π assignments of 11^? and 13^?. A 14⁺ spin assignment is shown to be more probable for the resonance at 22.79 MeV than a previous tentative assignment of 16⁺. A correlation is found between maxima of the total fusion cross section and the position of odd angular momentum resonances.     

Structure of 13C from an R-matrix analysis of 12C + n scattering and reaction cross sections

Differential cross sections for ¹²C + n elastic and inelastic scattering and for the ²C(n, α) ⁹Be reaction, together with high resolution total cross-section data were analyzed by means of a multilevel multichannel R-matrix program to determineJ, π, and γ_λc for states in ¹³C up to E_x = 13.5MeV. Good overall fits to the data were obtained throughout this large energy range. Spin and parity assignments for thirteen states above E_x = 9.5MeV for which there had been either no previous J^π assignments or only tentative assignments have been made in this study. The present results are in good agreement with previous analyses and model calculations.     

Microscopic study of the 12C + 16O system

An angular momentum projected microscopic calculation is performed for the ¹²C + ¹⁶O system with an effective nuclear force and the exact Coulomb interaction. The ¹²C wave function is projected on a 0⁺ state. Parametrizations of the Coulomb interaction between the nuclei are fitted. The L-projected energy curves present a quite complicated structure especially for the negative parity states. The role played by critical angular momenta is put into evidence. A generator coordinate calculation gives several bands of bound, quasibound and virtual states. Excellent agreement in energy and angular momentum is obtained with the 13.7 MeV (J = 9), 19.7 MeV (J = 14), 22.7 MeV (J = 15) and other resonances.     

12C(7Li,t)16O and stellar helium fusion

The reaction ¹²C(⁷Li, t)¹⁶O has been studied at $\text{E(}{}^7\text{Li}\text{) = 34}\text{MeV}$ with the LASL tandem accelerator and QDDD magnetic spectrometer. Angular distributions to levels with E_x < 11 MeV have been obtained from 0° to 90°, including 0°. The results have been analyzed with finite-range distorted-wave Born approximation theory. The α-particle spectroscopic factors and reduced widths obtained are compared with those calculated with group theory (SU(3)) and other models. The analysis of data for the 7.1 and 9.6 MeV J^π = 1^? levels, which are of great importance in stellar helium buring, yields a ratio, R, of dimensionless reduced α-widths $\text{θ}{}^2{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>a</mtext>}}\text{(7.1}\text{MeV}\text{)}\text{θ}{}^2{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>a</mtext>}}\text{(9.6}\text{MeV}\text{)}\text{= 0.35b ± 0.13}$. The observed line width of the 9.6 MeV level (Γ_c.m. = 390 ± 60 keV) is less than the accepted value (Γ_c.m. = 510 ± 60 keV) and implies θ²_a(9.6 MeV) ≈ 0.6. These results as well as data for the 6.92 MeV J^π = 2⁺ and 10.35 MeV J^π = 4⁺ “α-cluster” states indicate 0.09 < θ²_a(7.1 MeV) < 0.33 with a mean value θ²_a(7.1 MeV) = 0.14 ± 0.04. The implication for stellar helium burning is discussed.     

Beta-decay of 32C1 and 40Sc

The β⁺ decays of ³²C1 and ⁴⁰Sc have been investigated with a rabbit system. New β-branches and γ-lines are reported. Branching ratios and log ft values are determined. The 6.66 MeV state of ³²S is shown to have J^π = 1⁺ or 2⁺.     

The sub-Coulomb 12C + 12C resonances in a microscopic 12C+12C,α+20Ne, 8Be+16O cluster basis

The low-J resonances in the Coulomb barrier region of the ¹² C+¹²C system are investigated in the framework of a microscopic cluster model basis including ¹²C+¹²C, α+ ²⁰Ne, and su8 Be+ ¹⁶O fragment decompositions. Calculations are carried out in an orthogonality condition model approximation in which Pauli-forbidden components are properly excluded from the basis but in which the interaction among cluster fragments is approximated by a local potential, obtained from a gaussian NN interaction by a folding procedure leading to both spherical and Q · Q terms. Only minor adjustments of overall strength and fall-off parameters are introduced to gain a consistent picture of the low-energy spectrum in the separate rearrangement channels. The basis includes cluster relative motion excitations with oscillator quanta from 12 to 20 and is not quite rich enough to give a detailed quantitative comparison between theory and experiment. Predicted excitation energies are too high by ~ 3 MeV and predicted ¹²C partial widths are too small to indicate a well-developed surface-peaked molecular character; but it does appear possible to identify a 5 MeV region as the potential seat of the 0⁺, 2⁺, 4⁺ resonances. The number and approximate spacing of the resonance fine structure components are in agreement with experiment.     

Energy levels of 14C

The ⁹Be (⁶Li, p)¹⁴C reaction has been studied using 20 MeV ⁶Li ions and the Penn multiangle spectrograph. Proton groups are reported corresponding to thirty excited states of ¹⁴C with E_x < 18.2 MeV. The total cross section for formation of the six bound excited states, whose J^π are known, is proportional to 2J_f + 1. Possible new spin assignments are suggested for several unbound levels of ¹⁴C, based on the 2J_f + 1 rule and a comparison of the experimental widths and widths predicted from neutron penetration of a centrifugal barrier.     

Excitation of anomalous α-14C resonances in the inelastic scattering of 18O on a 12C target

Two broad resonances at 9.33 MeV and 9.65 MeV are observed in the inelastic excitation of ¹⁸O on a ¹²C target at a laboratory energy of 82 MeV. The α-decay of these states has been measured. A coherent sum of J^π = 2⁺ and 3^? is required to fit the correlations. The structure of these states and the excitation mechanism is discussed.     

Alignment and resonances in 12C+12C inelastic scattering

Using the out-of-plane γ-ray particle coincidence method we have measured the spin alignment P_zz of excited ¹²C(2⁺) nuclei from ¹²C+¹²C inelastic scattering in the energy range 16 MeV ? E_cm ? 33 MeV.P_zz varies strongly as a function of energy and angle. The correlation of resonant structures in the cross section with maxima of the alignment is particularly clear in mutual inelastic scattering and in θ_cm = 90° single inelastic scattering.     

Scattering and reactions of 14C + 14C and 14C + 14C

We have studied elastic scattering, inelastic scattering and several transfer channels of the systems ¹⁴C + ¹⁴C and ¹⁴C + ¹²C over a wide range of energies up to E_c.m. = 35 eMeV and 32 MeV, respectively. The reaction channels were identified by means of kinematic coincidences between solid-state detectors, γγ coincidences were measured to determine cross sections for mutual inelastic scattering of ¹⁴C + ¹⁴C.Pronounced regular gross structures, similar to those found for ¹⁶O + ¹⁶O, are observed in the elastic excitation function of ¹⁴C + ¹⁴C at θ_c.m. = 90°, The angular distributions measured at the energies of the maxima and an optical-model analysis suggest that one or a few surface partial waves dominate the scattering behaviour. Correlated structure of narrower width is found in the inelastic channels and, to a lesser degree, in the transfer channels which appear with rather small cross sections.In ¹⁴C + ¹²C elastic scattering the gross structures are strongly fragmented, in contrast to ¹⁴C + ¹⁴C but similar to ¹²C + ¹²C. While the ¹²C(2⁺) excitation is very weak, the observed strengths of the ¹⁴C(3^?) excitation and of neutron transfer point to a substantial role of these channels as coupling partners to the elastic configuration and to their influence on the elastic scattering behaviour. A correlated intermediate structure is observed near 23.5 MeV, where a dominance of l = 18 is suggested by the elastic scattering angular distribution. This unexpectedly high l-value exceeds l_graz at this energy by at least two units of ?.     

Microscopic study of elastic 12C+16O scattering

The L=0 to 17 phase shifts are calculated microscopically for elastic ¹²C+¹⁶O scattering with a generator coordinate method. The experimental resonances are shown to belong to four different bands. Interpretations and spin assignments are suggested for several recently observed anomalies. A spin J=15 seems likely for the 22.8 MeV resonance. A missing J=13 resonance should be searched for between 17 and 18 MeV.     

12C(12C, 8Be)16O angular distributions and excitation functions between 35 and 69 MeV bombarding energy

An array of eight detectors has been developed for identifying the particle unstable ⁸Be nucleus from nuclear reactions with high detection efficiency. Absolute cross sections have been measured for the reaction ¹²C(¹²C, ⁸Be_g.s.)¹⁶O to the ground state and to several excited states in ¹⁶O. Excitation functions at seven angles from 15° to 45° (lab) in 5° steps have been measured for bombarding energies between E¹²_C(lab) = 35 and 69 MeV. Excitation functions were obtained for the following states in the residual nucleus ¹⁶O which were found to be strongly populated: g.s.(0⁺); 6.1 MeV (0⁺, 3^?); 6.9 MeV (2⁺); 10.4 MeV (4⁺); 11.1 MeV (4⁺); 14.7 MeV (6⁺,…) and 16.3 MeV (6⁺,…). The energy range is covered in 250 keV (c.m.) steps; at certain energy ranges in ¹²⁵ keV or 50keV steps. All excitation functions exhibit a strong energy dependence of the cross section; pronounced gross structures with superimposed fine structures, similar to those observed for ¹²C+¹²C elastic and inelastic scattering at these energies, are observed. At 19.3 MeV, where resonant structures were observed in the reactions ¹²C(¹²C, p)²³Na, ¹²C(¹²C, n)²³Mg and ¹²C(¹²C, d)²²Na, no resonance is found for the reaction studied here. At 60, 61 and 63 MeV angular distributions have been measured in 1° and 2.5°(lab) angular steps. The excitation functions have been analyzed in terms of Ericson fluctuations and cross-correlation functions.     

High-spin states in 34CI

High-spin yrast states in ³⁴Cl have been studied with the reactions ³¹P(α, nγ)³⁴Cl at E_α = 11.7?16.3 MeV and ²⁴Mg(¹²C, pnγ)³⁴Cl at E(¹²C) = 32–35 MeV. Ambiguities in the ³⁴Cl level scheme for levels at E_x = 4.82 and 5.32 MeV have been resolved through combination of threshold measurements with the ³¹P + α reaction and gamma-gamma coincidence and E_γ-measurements with the ²⁴Mg + ¹²C reaction. Gamma-gamma coincidence and in-beam γ-γ angular correlation experiments have been performed employing a Compton-suppression spectrometer with a solid angle of 120 msr.Unambiguous spin-parity assignments of J^π = 6^?, 5⁺ and 7⁺ to the ³⁴Cl levels at E_x = 4.74, 4.82 and 5.32 MeV, respectively, are obtained.Previously unreported levels of high spin are found at E_x = 7.25 and 7.80 MeV with J^π = (9⁺) and (8⁺); τ_m = 200 ± 70 fs and 100 ± 70 fs, respectively. Excitation energies, mean lives, branching ratios and multipole mixing ratios are reported. The experimental results are compared with large-scale shell-model calculations. The high-spin yrast levels can be characterized by a rather simple shell-model structure.     

12C(6Li,d)16O and16O(6Li,d)20Ne at E(6Li) = 42 MeV

Spectra up to 25 MeV excitation in ¹⁶O have been obtained from ¹²C(⁶Li, d) at 42 MeV bombarding energy. Angular distributions have been measured for ten states, including two J^π = 1^? states of astrophysical interest, and appear to be mostly direct α-transfer. In addition, data for ¹⁶(⁶Li, d)²⁰Ne(g.s.) and ²⁰Ne¹(2⁺) have been obtained. Excitation energies and widths have been extracted for states in ¹⁶O, including several states at E_x > 15 MeV. Alpha spectroscopic factors, S_α, and reduced α-widths, γ²_α and θ²_α have been deduced for levels in ¹⁶O and ²⁰Ne and compared with theoretical predictions. The J^π = 1^? levels in ¹⁶O at 7.12 and 9.6 MeV excitation appear to have comparable S_α and γ²_α values, viz. $\text{γ}{}^2{}_{\mathrm{\alpha }}\text{(7.12 MeV)}\text{γ}{}^2{}_{\mathrm{\alpha }}\text{(9.6}\text{MeV}\text{) = 0.6}{}^{\mathrm{+1.7}}{}_{\mathrm{?0.3}}$. Both states have apparent S_α and γ²_α values smaller than that for the J^π = 2⁺ “α-cluster” state at 6.9 MeV however. Furthermore, the observed line shape for the J^α = 1^?, 9.6 MeV level indicates Γ_c.m. = 400 ± 50 keV, which is substantially less than the accepted width for this level Γ_c.m. = 510±60 keV). The possible implications of these results for stellar helium burning calculations are discussed.     

Elastic scattering of deuterons by 14C from Ed = 4 to 10 MeV

Angular distributions for the elastic scattering of deuterons by ¹⁴C were measured at nine energies between E_d = 4.2 and 10 MeV. Excitation functions were taken in 50 keV steps from E_d = 4 to 10 MeV. A resonance was observed at E_d = 4.5 MeV, which corresponds to an excitation energy of 14.41 MeV in ¹⁶N. An analysis using an optical model plus a single-level formula derived from the R-matrix formalism yields an l-value assignment of l = 4 for this resonance. Of the three J^π values allowed for l = 4 (J^π = 3⁺, 4⁺, 5⁺), the value of J_π = 3⁺ is found to be slightly preferred. Possible identification of this resonance with an analog in ¹⁶O is discussed. The angular distributions measured at off-resonance energies were analyzed with an optical-model potential which has a surface-peaked imaginary well. The energy dependence of the real and imaginary well depths are explicitly determined in the present work for E_d = 4 to 10 MeV. The best-fit optical-model parameters obtained from the present study are compared to those from the ¹⁴N(d, d)¹⁴N work.     

12C1 and 8Be production in 12C + 208Pb collisions

The mechanisms involved in the production of fast α-particles in ¹²C-induced reactions have been studied for the ¹²C + ²⁰⁸Pb system at the bombarding energies of E_12c = 132, 187 and 230 MeV. Absolute cross sections for the reactions ²⁰⁸Pb(¹²C. ¹²C¹→α + ⁸Be), ²⁰⁸Pb(¹²C, ⁸Be(g.s.)) and ²⁰⁸Pb(¹²C, ⁸Be(2.94 MeV)) have been determined by coincidence measurement of two or three correlated α-particles. Inclusive α-particle production cross sections were also measured at E_12c = 187 MeV. It is found that the inelastic process (¹²C, ¹²C¹→α + ⁸Be) does not contribute significantly to fast α-particle production but that the production of ⁸Be by projectile fragmentation is an important source of α-particles. At the highest bombarding energy (230 MeV) it appears that the ¹²C → 3α fragmentation reaction becomes more prominent at the expense of the ¹²C→α + ⁸Be fragmentation channel.     

The 12C(9Be,n)20Ne reaction

A study of the ¹²C(⁹Be, n)²⁰Ne reaction has been carried out at bombarding energies of 16 and 24 MeV. The spectra at both incident energies are dominated by a consistent set of levels between an excitation energy of 7.3 ± 0.4 and 15.7 ± 0.3 MeV. The rotational band based on the K^π = 0₃⁺ state appears to be strongly populated. Based on this selectivity, additional evidence is provided in favor of identification of the 8⁺ state at 15.9 MeV with this 0₃⁺ band. Angular distributions measured at the higher bombarding energy are compared with statistical compound-nuclear calculations. It appears that a non-statistical mechanism is responsible for the reaction's selective population of states with 8p-4h configuration. Such a mechanism, involving the preferential breakup of the ⁹Be into ⁸Be plus a neutron, is discussed.     

Band structures in 98Ru and 99Ru

The level schemes of ^{98, 99}Ru were studied with the reactions ⁹⁸Mo(α, 3nγ) and ⁹⁸Mo(α, 4nγ) at E_α = 35 to 55 MeV, using a large variety of in-beam γ-ray detection techniques and conversion-electron measurements. A search for the 3^? state was carried out with the reaction ⁹⁸Ru(p, p′). The ground-state band of ⁹⁸Ru was excited up to J^π = (12)⁺ and a negative-parity band up to (15)^?. New levels in ⁹⁸Ru were found at E_x = 2285 (J^π = 4⁺), 2435 (J^π = (3^?, 4⁺)), 2671, 3540, 4224, 4847, 4915 (J^π = (12)⁺), 4989 (J^π = (12⁺)), 5521 (J^π = (13)^?), 5889, 6591 (J^π = (15)^?), and 7621 keV. New unambiguous spin and parity assignments were made for the levels at E_x = 2014 and 3852 keV, as J^π = 3⁺ and 9^?, respectively. New levels in ⁹⁹Ru were found at E_x = 1976, 2021 ($\text{J}{}^{\mathrm{\pi }}\text{= (}\text{15}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)}$), 2393, 2401 ($\text{J}{}^{\mathrm{\pi }}\text{= (}\text{17}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)}$), 2875 (π = (+)), 3037, 3201 ($\text{J}{}^{\mathrm{\pi }}\text{= (}\text{23}\text{2}\text{)}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$), 3460 ($\text{J = (}\text{17}\text{2}\text{)}$), 3484 ($\text{J}{}^{\mathrm{\pi }}\text{= (}\text{21}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)}$), 3985, 4224 ($\text{J}{}^{\mathrm{\pi }}\text{= (}\text{27}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}\text{)}$), and 5359 keV. The 1070 keV, $\text{J}{}^{\mathrm{\pi }}\text{=}\text{11}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$ level in ⁹⁹Ru has a half-life of 2.8 ns. A strongly excited negative-parity band is built on this level. A positive-parity band based on the ground state was excited up to $\text{J}{}^{\mathrm{\pi }}\text{= (}\text{21}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)}$. The level schemes are well reproduced by the interacting boson model in the vibrational limit.