pn-Pair coupling in the (gamma, pn) reaction at 72 MeV

The O-16(gamma, pn) reaction was measured at E-gamma similar to 72 MeV with resolution sufficient to distinguish the low-lying states of the residual N-14 nucleus. Cross sections averaged over the acceptance of the detector s ystem were determined for each of the resolved states. The relative populat ion of residual states indicates that proton-neutron pairs coupled to (J(pi ), T) = (0(+), 1) play a minor role in the photon absorption process compar ed to (1(+), 0) pairs and that both L = 0 and L = 2 pairs participate in th e reaction.