We have studied natural parity states in $^{ 26}$Mg via the $^{ 22}$Ne($^{ 6}$Li,d)$^{ 26}$Mg reaction. Our method significantly improves the energy resolution of previous experiments and, as a result, we report the observation of a natural parity state in $^{ 26}$Mg. Possible spin-parity assignments are suggested on the basis of published $\gamma$-ray decay experiments. The stellar rate of the $^{ 22}$Ne($\alpha$,$\gamma$)$^{ 26}$Mg reaction is reduced and may give rise to an increase in the production of s-process neutrons via the $^{ 22}$Ne($\alpha$,n)$^{ 25}$Mg reaction.
Categories: nucl-ex