An experiment to search for the parity-forbidden $\alpha$ decay of the 8.87-MeV state in ${}_{}{}^{16}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{O}$ has been performed. No evidence of this decay was observed. Assuming a laboratory radiation width of 3.43×${10}^{-3\mathrm{}}$ eV for the 8.87-MeV state, we find the laboratory $\alpha$-decay width to be less than 2.1×${10}^{-9\mathrm{}}$ eV with a 95% confidence limit.

• Received 27 March 1970

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.2.2113