Exploring the alpha cluster structure of nuclei using the thick target inverse kinematics technique for multiple alpha decays

We explored alpha clustering in super(24)Mg using the reaction super(20)Ne+ alpha and the Thick Target Inverse Kinematics (TTIK) technique. super(20)Ne beams of energy 3.7 AMeV and 11 AMeV were delivered by the K150 cyclotron at Texas A&M University. The reaction chamber was filled with super(4)He gas at a pressure sufficient to stop the beam before the detectors. The energy of the light reaction products was measured by three silicon detector telescopes. The time relative to the cyclotron radio frequency was also measured. For the first time the TTIK method was used to study both single and multiple alpha -particle decays. New results were obtained on elastic resonant a scattering, as well as on inelastic processes leading to high excitation energy systems decaying by multiple alpha -particle emission. Preliminary results will be shown on events with alpha -multiplicity one and two.