A complete kinematic measurement of the ${}^6\mathrm{Li}$(${}^3\mathrm{He}$,${}^3\mathrm{H}$)$\alpha \mathit{pp}$ reaction is performed at $E_{\mathrm{lab}}=50$ MeV, to investigate the cluster structure of ${}^6\mathrm{Be}$. The energy and angular distributions of the breakup particles, emitted from the ground and first excited states of ${}^6\mathrm{Be}$, are compared to three-body resonance and two-body sequential decay calculations. The results indicate a rather pure three-body configuration of the $2^{+}$ state of ${}^6\mathrm{Be}$ but they are not conclusive regarding the decay mode of the $0^{+}$ state. No branching ratio between sequential and three-body decay paths could be extracted. Excitations above the $2^{+}$ state were populated at $E_x=1.67$–23 MeV. Decay through ${}^5\mathrm{Li}$-$p$ and ${}^2\mathrm{He}$-${}^4\mathrm{He}$ channels is identified in the continuum of ${}^6\mathrm{Be}$, and the reaction mechanism is discussed.

• Received 20 August 2009

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.81.054308