Two neutron decay from the $2_1^+$ state of $^6$He

Abstract

Decay mode of the $2_1^+$ resonant state of $^6$He populated by the $^6$He breakup reaction by $^{12}$C at 240 MeV/nucleon is investigated. The continuum-discretized coupled-channels method is adopted to describe the formation of the $2_1^+$ state, whereas its decay is described by the complex-scaled solutions of the Lippmann-Schwinger equation. From analysis of invariant mass spectra with respect to the $\alpha$-$n$ and $n$-$n$ subsystems, coexistence of two decay modes is found. One is the simultaneous decay of two neutrons correlating with each other and the other is the emission of two neutrons to the opposite directions. The latter is found to be free from the final state interaction and suggests existence of a di-neutron in the $2_1^+$ state of $^6$He.