Sign of theE4moment inU236by multiple Coulomb excitation withAr40ions

Multiple Coulomb excitation with ${}_{}{}^{40}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Ar}$ projectiles has been used to excite the ground state rotational band of ${}_{}{}^{236}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{U}$ through the ${12}^{+}$ state. A comparison of the experimental and theoretical excitation probabilities confirms a positive value for the $E4\mathrm{}$ moment, removing the sign ambiguity inherent in the determination of this moment by $\mathrm{alpha}$-particle Coulomb excitation.