Lifetime measurement of the first excited 2+ state in 16C

The lifetime of the 2(1)(+) state in C-16 has been measured with the recoil distance method using the Be-9(Be-9,2p) fusion-evaporation reaction at a beam energy of 40 MeV. The mean lifetime was measured to be 11.7(20) ps corresponding to a B(E2; 2(1)(+)-> 0(+)) value of 4.15(73)e(2) fm(4) [1.73(30) W.u.], consistent with other even-even closed shell nuclei. Our result does not support an interpretation for decoupled valence neutrons.