Angular correlation measurements for 4-α decaying states in 16O

Previous measurements of the 12C(12C,8Be)16O*(4 α) reaction identified discrete levels in 16O which decay by breakup into 4 α particles through a number of different decay sequences, including 16O* → 8Be + 8Be and α + 12C (O2+). These states are observed in a range of excitation energies where resonances are observed in inelastic α + 12C scattering leading to the 8Be + 8Be and α + 12C final states. These resonances were associated with 4 α-particle chain configurations in 16O. Should the states populated in the 12C + 12C reaction possess this same extended structure, it would serve as an important piece of evidence supporting the idea that even more deformed structures are formed in the 24Mg compound system. In order to more firmly make this association, it is important to determine the spins of the states populated in the 12C + 12C reaction