Abstract
R-matrix formulas are used to derive information about levels of 8Be and reactions involving 8Be. Data from the 4He(α,p)7Li, 4He(α,n)7Be, and 7Li(p,α)4He reactions and from α+α elastic scattering are fitted, and a value obtained for the zero-energy S factor for 7Li(p,α)4He: S(0)=58 keV b. Recent measurements and analyses of the 7Li(d,αα)n and 7Li(p,γ0)8Be reactions, and calculations concerned with low-lying intruder states in 8Be, are discussed with reference to R-matrix fits.