Experimental study to explore the Be-8-induced nuclear reaction via the Trojan horse method

To explore a possible indirect method for Be-8 induced astrophysical reactions, the Be-9 = (Be-8 + n) cluster structure has been studied via the Trojan horse method. For the first time a Be-8 nucleus having an ultrashort lifetime is studied by the Trojan horse method and a Be-9 nucleus in the ground state is used for this purpose. The Be-9 nucleus is assumed to have a (Be-8 + n) cluster structure and used as a Trojan horse nucleus. The Be-8 nucleus acts as a participant, while the neutron is a spectator to the virtual Be-8 + d -> alpha + Li-6 reaction via the 3-body reaction Be-9 + d -> alpha + Li-6 + n. The experimental neutron momentum distribution inside Be-9 has been reconstructed. The agreement between the experimental momentum distribution and the theoretical one indicates that a (Be-8 + n) cluster structure inside Be-9 is very likely. Therefore, the experimental study of 8Be induced reactions, for example, the measurement of the Be-8 + alpha -> C-12 reaction proceeding through the Hoyle state, is possible.