The levels of the ${}_{}{}^6{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Li}$ nucleus were studied via the ${}_{}{}^9{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Be}(p, \alpha )$ reaction at incident proton energies of 30 and 50 MeV. Accurate excitation energies as well as some of the corresponding widths are extracted for the first few levels known. Marked differences with accepted values were found. The existence of higher excited states in the region $E_{\mathrm{exc}}=8-12\mathrm{}$ MeV cannot be ruled out. The aim is not to study reaction mechanisms leading to ${}_{}{}^6{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Li}$ excited states but rather to establish their excitation energies and widths and to compare them to the published values. The importance of understanding the continuum in the particle spectra is stressed as far as it influences the position and width of the excited states.

NUCLEAR REACTIONS ${}_{}{}^9{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Be}(p, \alpha ){}_{}{}^6{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Li}$, $E_{\mathrm{lab}}=30, 50$ MeV. Measured alpha particle spectra; continuous spectra; phase space model; deduced excitation energies and widths; comparison with previous values.

• Received 9 August 1982

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.27.1887