The polarized proton capture reaction 7Li(d, γ)8Be in the energy range from 380 to 960 keV

The polarized proton capture in ⁷Li was used to study the reaction mechanism and to obtain spectroscopic information on the ⁸Be nucleus. Gamma-ray angular distributions of the analyzing power were measured as a function of proton energy from E_p = 380–960 keV with three Ge(Li) detectors simultaneously. The excitation functions of the cross section and the analyzing power are strongly energy dependent. The data were analyzed unambiguously and represented by three R-matrix elements, two M1 and one E1. The energy dependence of the two M1 matrix elements agrees with the well-known two 1⁺ resonances at E_x = 17.642 and 18.157 MeV. The energy dependence of the E1 matrix element shows a smooth background presumably caused by a direct-capture mechanism, and furthermore, a resonant contribution, which is a significant suggestion of a new 1^? state in the ⁸Be system at E_x = 17.70 MeV with a width of Γ_p = 180 keV.