Search for the high spin members of the α:2n:α band in 10 Be

There is strong evidence that some states in 10Be exhibit molecular like α:2n:α configuration. Based on theoretical studies it appears that the 6.179 MeV 0+ state in 10Be has a pronounced α:2n:α configuration with an α-α inter-distance of 3.55 fm [1]. This is 1.8 times more than the corresponding value for the 10Be ground state. The 2+ at 7.542 MeV in 10Be is believed to be the next member of this rotational band. The state at 10.2 MeV was identified as a 4+ member in recent experiments. The algebraic model predicts that this band should also include the 6+ and 8+ states. We performed an experiment to search for the higher spin cluster states in the excitation function for 6He+α scattering. No evidence for the new states has been observed.