A signature ${\mathit{S}}_{\mathit{d}}^{\mathit{y}}$ of isoscalar spin-transfer strength has been tested in the inelastic scattering of 400 MeV dueterons from ${}_{}{}^{12}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{C}$. It was then applied to the study of ${}_{}{}^{40}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Ca}$ over an angular range from 3° to 7° (momentum transfer range from 0.26 to 0.8 ${\mathrm{fm}}^{\mathrm{-}1}$) and an excitation energy range from 6.25 to 42 MeV. This is the first study of isoscalar spin strength in the continuum. Spin excitations were found in the 9 MeV region, and over a broad range in the continuum with a cluster strength around 15 MeV. The results are compared with spin-flip probability measurements in proton scattering. In contrast to the total relative spin response, which is strongly enhanced at high excitation, the isoscalar relative spin response is roughly consistent with noninteracting Fermi gas values.

• Received 5 March 1992

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.46.1008