Investigation of the 12C(α, γ)16O reaction via the β-delayed proton decay of 17Ne

We have determined the branching ratios for the β-delayed proton decay of excited states in 17 F to excited states in 16 O by measuring proton-γ-ray coincidences. We have observed transitions to the 2 + state at 6.917 MeV in 16 O from 17 F states at 11.193, 10.0, 9.45, 8.83 and 8.44 MeV. In particular, the transition from the 9.45 MeV state is an order of magnitude stronger than the accompanying transitions to the 1 − state at 7.117 MeV and the 3 − state at 6.130 MeV, and seems a favourable case for the observation of 16 O break-up into α + 12 C .