Spin alignment for C12 on C12 collisions exciting the 9.64-MeV 3- state

Resonances in C12 on C12 collisions have been studied for excitation of the 9.64-MeV 3- state. The alignment is large and nearly constant with energy, similar to other heavy ion collisions exciting weakly coupled states but unlike excitation of the strongly coupled 4.4-MeV 2+ state which shows a fluctuating alignment. It is concluded that the alignment behavior is determined by the coupling to the state excited rather than the particular heavy ion collision which excites the state.