Cross sections and analyzing powers were obtained for the reaction ${}^{208}\mathrm{Pb}\mathrm{}(p,t)\mathrm{}{\hspace{0.5em}}^{206}\mathrm{Pb}$ at $T_p=120\mathrm{}\mathrm{MeV},$ up to an excitation energy of 6.5 MeV, and with an energy resolution of 25–40 keV. Momentum matching considerations strongly favor the population of two-neutron-hole states with $J>~6.$ Making use of cross section and analyzing power angular distributions, 14 natural parity states were identified with $J=6\mathrm{}$ to 12, including all of the states with $J>~9$ expected in the $N=5\mathrm{}$ shell model space. The data were analyzed using the local zero-range distorted-wave Born approximation. Theory was normalized to experiment by making use of the sum rules for two-nucleon transfer reactions. Enhancement factors (ratio of experiment to normalized theory) were obtained, both for single, pure-configuration, and mixed configuration two-particle amplitudes from the shell model calculations of Kuo and Herling. Some of the details of the observed distribution of strengths were better accounted for by the shell model calculations, but, overall, the pure-configuration assumption accounted for the enhancement factors and energies about as well.

• Received 12 April 2001

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.64.054608