The 7Li+d → α+ α+n reaction

Abstract

The reaction 7Li+d → α+ α+n is studied at deuteron bombarding energy 0.380 MeV. The 9Be compound nucleus is formed with an excitation around 17 MeV. The two α-particles are detected in coincidence by two solid state detectors. Thus, the kinematics of the reaction are completely determined and discrimination between sequential two-body decay and direct three-body decay is possible. The reaction mechanism is found to be sequential two-body decay involving the ground and broad first excited states of 5He. Contributions from the direct three-body decay and the sequential two-body decay involving the 8Be, J π = 4 + second excited state, if at all present, are not more than a few percent of the total reaction output. Kinematically possible contributions from the 8Be ground, J π = 0 + and the 2.9 MeV, J π = 2 + excited state fall within the energy region excluded by the apparatus.