The α+ 20Ne cluster structure of 24Mg in a microscopic three-cluster model

Abstract

With the generator-coordinate method, the 24Mg spectrum is studied microscopically in a three-cluster model involving an 16O core and two α-particles. The wave functions are projected out on the 0 + and 2 + internal states of 20Ne and on the total angular momentum and parity. We discuss the band structure of 24Mg and suggest the existence of an α + 20Ne molecular band starting at 10.7 MeV. The α + 20 Ne(0 +, 2 +) collision matrices are calculated with the microscopic R-matrix method. Reduced E2 transition probabilities in the 24Mg spectrum are presented and compared with experiment. Finally, the 20Ne(α, γ) 24Mg capture reaction is discussed.