Probing clustering in excited alpha-conjugate nuclei.

The fragmentation of quasi-projectiles from the nuclear reaction 40 Ca+ 12 C at 25 MeV per nucleon bombarding energy was used to produce α -emission sources. From a careful selection of these sources provided by a complete detection and from comparisons with models of sequential and simultaneous decays, evidence in favor of α -particle clustering from excited 16 O, 20 Ne and 24 Mg is reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]