Kinematic coincidence technique to identify γ-decaying highly excited states in light nuclei

Abstract

A simple kinematic coincidence technique is described for separating γ-decaying states from particle decaying states populated in two-body reactions. The method is especially suited to the discovery and further study of γ-decaying states at high excitation energies in light nuclei, but has not previously been widely exploited. Experimental applications using the reactions 12C( 16O, α) 24Mg and 12C( 6Li, d) 16O are presented and these illustrate the range of results obtainable. In particular, the method provides an excellent means of measuring the probability for γ-decay, Γ γ/Γ, of individual excited states. The general properties of reactions suitable for use with the coincidence technique are discussed.