Multiconfiguration microscopic study of α+14C molecular states

Antisymmetric α+${}^{14}$ ${\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{g}.\mathrm{s}.\mathrm{}}$ and α${+\mathrm{}}^{14}$C${(2\mathrm{}}_1^{+}$) wave functions are used in the generator coordinate formalism to investigate molecular properties of ${}_{}{}^{18}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{O}$ states. Quadrupole moments, rms radii, and reduced α widths of these states are calculated as well as reduced E1 and E2 transition probabilities between them. A number of molecular bands are found and analyzed. The assignment of experimental states to these bands is discussed. The alternating-parity band proposed by Gai et al. is interpreted as a fortuitous alignment of molecular states belonging to different bands.