New States inLi9from the ReactionLi7(t,p)Li9

Proton spectra from the reaction ${}_{}{}^7{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Li}\mathrm{}(t,p)\mathrm{}{}_{}{}^9{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Li}$ have been measured at triton energies of 15 and 19 MeV. Evidence is observed for new states in ${}_{}{}^9{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Li}$ at excitation energies of 4.31±0.03, 5.38±0.06, and 6.41±0.02 MeV, having widths of 0.25±0.03, 0.6±0.1, and $E_t=15\mathrm{}$ MeV for the ground, 4.31-, and 6.41- MeV states. The shape of the ground-state distribution is similar to an $L=0\mathrm{}$ distorted-wave Born-approximation calculation, in agreement with the assignment $J^{\pi }={\frac{3}{2}}^{-}$ for the ground state of ${}_{}{}^9{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Li}$. The relative magnitude of the cross section to the first excited state, when considered with other work, provides support for the assignment of $J^{\pi }={\frac{1}{2}}^{-}$.