Energy Levels of theO16Nucleus

Abstract

A discussion of the energy levels of the ${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$ nucleus is given on the basis of an $\alpha$-particle model. A considerable number of excited states are calculated under the assumption that the higher order rotation-vibration interactions can be neglected. The positions of the levels depend upon four parameters, three of which relate to the potential while the fourth measures the effective radius of the nucleus. Two possible correlations between the observed and predicted levels are made. The first identification, which appears to be somewhat the more satisfactory, succeeds in correlating sixteen levels in the range from 0 to 13.25 Mev with regard to their positions, angular momenta and parities. Five levels are predicted in the range from 9.5 to 13.8 Mev which do not appear to have been observed. However, three levels have been found in this range but as yet their spins and parities have not been determined and no attempt has been made to assign them. The effective radius of the ${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$ nucleus is found to be 2.5×${10}^{-13\mathrm{}}$ cm which is somewhat smaller than might have been expected.