A novel manifestation of $alpha$-clustering: new $alpha$ + $^{208}$Pb states in $^{212}$Po revealed by their enhanced E1 decays


Abstract in English

Excited states in $^{212}$Po were populated by $alpha$ transfer using the $^{208}$Pb($^{18}$O, $^{14}$C) reaction and their deexcitation $gamma$-rays were studied with the Euroball array. Several levels were found to decay by a unique E1 transition (E$_gamma <$ 1 MeV) populating the yrast state with the same spin value. Their lifetimes were measured by the DSAM method. The values, found in the range [0.1-1.4] ps, lead to very enhanced transitions, B(E1) = 2$times10^{-2}$ - 1$times10^{-3}$ W.u.. These results are discussed in terms of an $alpha$-cluster structure which gives rise to states with non-natural parity values, provided that the composite system cannot rotate collectively, as expected in the $alpha$ + $^{208}$Pb case. Such states due to the oscillatory motion of the $alpha$-core distance are observed for the first time.

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