Low-lying resonance states in the 9Be continuum

Excited states in 9Be from 2 to 9 MeV are studied via beta delayed particle emission from 9Li. The broad overlapping particle unbound states are investigated using an extension of an experimental method developed for dealing with three-body decays of broad isolated levels. The results confirm the existence of a broad state at 5 MeV, with a width of 2 MeV. Angular correlations are used for firm spin determinations for this and other levels.