Strong mutual excitation of 148Nd+20Ne

The angular distribution for mutual excitation has been measured for 148Nd+20Ne scattering. The colliding system studied was chosen for its very strong Coulomb coupling. Mutual excitation as strong as the single excitation of 20Ne 2+ has been observed, which is much stronger than in previously measured cases. The angular distribution of the mutual excitation is not bell shaped and is similar to that of the Ne 2+ state. Coupled-channels calculations fail to reproduce the data.