Search for evidence of rotational cluster bands in O18

Clustering in 18 O is of great interest to the nuclear physics community, due to theoretical predictions of core + α and nuclear molecular structures. An experiment was performed in order to measure branching ratios for states in 18 O , determining the tendency towards clustering based on the value of Γ α / Γ tot for each state, and the reduced widths compared to the Wigner limit. An experimental method that enables the measurement of branching ratios for almost all available decay modes, including γ decay, α decay, and n decay, was employed. The method is also sensitive to the population of excited states in daughter nuclei, allowing for more accurate determination of the α 0 branch. The measurements represent, for several states, either the first branching ratio measurement or the first determination of Γ α / Γ tot . Based on these measurements, no evidence of consistent cluster structure is seen across any of the bands previously proposed, casting doubt on their existence. Despite this, some states displaying cluster structure are observed.