The identification of $${{\varvec{\alpha }}}$$-clustered doorway states in $$^{44,48,52}$$Ti using machine learning

A novel experimental analysis method has been developed, making use of the continuous wavelet transform and machine learning to rapidly identify $$\alpha $$ α -clustering in nuclei in regions of high nuclear state density. This technique was applied to resonant scattering measurements of the $$^\text {4}$$ 4 He($$^\text {40,44,48}$$ 40,44,48 Ca,$$\alpha $$ α ) resonant reactions, allowing the $$\alpha $$ α -cluster structure of $$^\text {44,48,52}$$ 44,48,52 Ti to be investigated. Fragmented $$\alpha $$ α -clustering was identified in $$^\text {44}$$ 44 Ti and $$^\text {52}$$ 52 Ti, while the results for $$^\text {48}$$ 48 Ti were less conclusive, but suggest no such clustering.