7.65-Mev State ofC12

The angular distribution for the inelastic scattering of 42-Mev alpha-particles by ${\mathrm{C}}^{12}$, with excitation of the 7.65-Mev state, has been measured. The experimental distribution shows maxima and minima consistent with $0^{+}$ or $2^{+}$ spin-parity assignment for the 7.65-Mev state, on an Austern, Butler, McManus type of direct interaction theory. A search was made for coincidences between the inelastically scattered alpha particles and recoil carbon nuclei in an attempt to determine the probability that the 7.65-Mev state decays by transitions to the ground state of ${\mathrm{C}}^{12}$. It was found that there is less than one chance in ten that this probability exceeds 0.1%. This low probability is not inconsistent with current theories of helium burning in stars and provides additional support for the usual $0^{+}$ assignment for the 7.65-Mev state.