Study of the reactions Ti46,48(C14, O16)Ca44,46 and Cr50,52(C14, O16)Ti48,50 at 51 MeV

The first measurements are reported for (C14, O16) two-proton pickup reactions. Angular distributions for transitions up to ∼3.5 MeV excitation in Ca44,46 and Ti48,50 were obtained with a 51-MeV C14 beam. The angular distributions exhibit a characteristic l dependence. Significant two-proton-hole configurations are found in the first excited 0+ states of Ca44(1.88 MeV) and Ca46(2.42 MeV). Evidence is presented for multistep excitation of the first 2+ states, especially in Ca44 and Ca46 where one-step transitions are expected to be inhibited.