α decay of the excited states in 12 C at 7 . 65 and 9 . 64 MeV

High-resolution triple-α coincidence data were used to reconstruct the decay of the excited states in 12C at 7.65 MeV (J π = 0+) and 9.64 MeV (J π = 3−). These data are consistent with the α-particle decay of both levels proceeding exclusively through Beg.s.. In the first of these cases, the Hoyle state, an upper limit of 0.45% (at the 99.75% confidence level) is set for a component producing three nearly equal-energy α particles.