Search for rotational state of Hoyle state in complete kinematic experiment 12C(α, α′) 3α

An excited state of 12C having excitation energy (Ex) 9.65 ± 0.02 MeV and width (FWHM) 607 ± 55 keV, which decays to three α particles via Hoyle state (Ex = 7.65 MeV), has been directly identified in the exclusive inelastic scattering of 60 MeV 4He on 12C, measured in coincidence with the recoiling 12C Hoyle state (decaying mostly as 12C* → 8Begs → α → α + α + α) by event-by-event kinematic reconstruction of the completely detected (4α) events. This state is likely to be a candidate for 22+ first excited of Hoyle state.