Search for α-particles emitted at rest in the break-up of the12C-α-12C molecule-like configuration

Abstract A yield of α-particles emitted at rest is clearly observed in 16 O+ 12 C at several incident energies. These α-particles are detected by two methods: (i) the α-particle is considered as a missing mass in the detection of two 12 C nuclei in coincidence; (ii) the α-particle is detected at 0° with a velocity due to the c.m. motion. Such a yield is assigned to a linear chain formation of the type 12 C-α- 12 C and an excitation function between 40 and 65 MeV is given. The emission due to Coulomb effects is emphasized in the discussion to give the chief explanation of the coincidence results.