Extracting the spectral signature of alpha-clustering in 44,48,52Ti using the continuous wavelet transform

A novel technique has been developed, making use of the continuous wavelet transform to identify α-clustered states from resonant scattering measurements in regions of high nuclear state density. This technique expedites the investigation of α-clustering in medium mass and heavy nuclei, where the role that α-clustering plays in the structure of the nucleus is poorly understood. Here we report the application of this technique to measurements of the 4He(40,44,48Ca,α) resonant reactions, leading to an assessment of the α-cluster structure of 44,48,52Ti. Alpha-clustering was identified in 44Ti and 52Ti, but was observed to break down in 48Ti. The implications of these results are discussed.