Decay of ¹⁰C excited states above the 2p+2α threshold and the contribution from “democratic” two-proton emission

The decay of ¹⁰C excited states to the 2p+2α exit channel has been studied using an E/A=10.7 MeV ¹⁰C beam inelastically scattered from a ⁹Be target. Levels associated with two-proton decay to the ground state of ⁸Be have been observed. These include states at 5.18 and 6.54 MeV which decay by sequential two-proton emission through the long-lived ground state of ⁹B. In addition, states at 5.3 and 6.57 MeV were found in which there is no long-lived intermediate state between the two proton emissions. For the 6.57 MeV state, the two protons are preferably emitted on the same side of the decaying ¹⁰C fragment.