Spin alignment and resonance behavior in the 24Mg+24Mg system

We have performed detailed particle-γ and particle-γ-γ angular correlation measurements for two strong resonances observed in the elastic and inelastic scattering of 24Mg+24Mg. These data provide us with spectroscopic information relatively uncontaminated by nonresonant amplitudes, and allow spin assignments of Jπ=36+ for two resonances at Ec.m.=45.70 and 46.65 MeV. The angular correlation data for the mutual 2+ inelastic scattering channel suggest a dominant decay l value of l=34 for both resonances. Correlated spin alignment data for this channel confirm our expectations for the relationship between angular momentum coupling and spin alignment for these resonances. The relatively high spin values suggest a resonance configuration in which the two 24Mg nuclei interact pole-to-pole, allowing the system to sustain a large amount of angular momentum. The pole-to-pole grazing picture is supported by the results of model calculations of the 24Mg+24Mg→48Cr system