Observation of γ-delayed 3α breakup of the 15.11 and 12.71 MeV states in 12C

Abstract

The reactions 10B (3He, p α α α) at 4.9 MeV and 11B (3He, d α α α) at 8.5 MeV have been used to investigate the γ decay of states in 12C. By measuring the four-body final state in complete kinematics we are able to detect γ transitions indirectly. We find γ transitions from the 15.11 MeV state in 12C to the 12.71, 11.83, 10.3 and 7.65 MeV states followed by their breakup into three α particles. The relative γ-ray branching ratios obtained are (1.2 ± 0.3), (0.32 ± 0.12), (1.4 ± 0.2) and (4.4 ± 0.8) %, respectively, with the remaining (92.7 ± 1.0) % of the γ decays going to the bound states. We obtain Γα / Γ = (2.8 ± 1.2) % for the isospin-forbidden α decay of the 15.11 MeV state. From the 12.71 MeV state we find γ transitions to the 10.3 and 7.65 MeV states. The relative γ-ray branching ratios are (0.9- 0.5 + 0.6) and (2.6- 1.2 + 1.6) %, respectively, with the remaining (96.6- 1.3 + 1.7) % of the γ decays going to the bound states. Finally, we discuss the relation between the β decay of 12N and 12B to states in 12C and the γ decay of the 15.11 MeV analog in 12C to the same states. © 2009 Elsevier B.V.