Three-body effects in the Hoyle-state decay

Abstract

We use a sequential $R$-matrix model to describe the breakup of the Hoyle state into three $\alpha$ particles via the ground state of ${}^8\mathrm{Be}$. It is shown that even in a sequential picture, features resembling a direct breakup branch appear in the phase-space distribution of the $\alpha$ particles. We construct a toy model to describe the Coulomb interaction in the three-body final state and its effects on the decay spectrum are investigated. The framework is also used to predict the phase-space distribution of the $\alpha$ particles emitted in a direct breakup of the Hoyle state and the possibility of interference between a direct and sequential branch is discussed. Our numerical results are compared to the current upper limit on the direct decay branch determined in recent experiments.

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Cited by in corpus (4)

• A stringent upper limit on the direct 3$\alpha$ decay of the Hoyle State in ${}^{12}$C
• Almost medium-free measurement of the Hoyle state direct-decay component with a TPC
• The Hoyle Family: The search for alpha-condensate states in light nuclei
• Exclusive decay study of the 16.62\,MeV (2${}^{-}$, T=1) resonance in ${}^{12}$C