Information About The C-12(Alpha,Gamma)O-16 Reaction From The Beta-Delayed Proton Decay Of Ne-17

We are studying the beta-delayed proton decay of Ne-17 with the goal of determining the E2 part of the C-12(alpha,gamma)O-16 cross section at energies relevant to helium burning in stars. We have determined branching ratios for proton and alpha-decay for states in F-17 from 8.08 to 11.193 MeV. In addition, we have observed the break-up of the isobaric analogue state (IAS) at 11.193 MeV into three particles via two channels: proton decay to the 9.59 MeV state in O-16 which breaks up into an alpha-particle plus C-12; and cr-decay to the 2.365 MeV state in N-13 which breaks up into a proton plus C-12. This is the first reported observation of the decay of the IAS to the 1(-) state in O-16 at 9.59 MeV.