New measurements of the ¹⁹F(p, α ₀)¹⁶O and ¹⁹F(p, α π)¹⁶O* reaction cross sections close to the Coulomb barrier

New absolute cross section measurements of the 19 F(p, α 0 ) 16 O and 19 F(p, α π ) 16 O* reactions at energies close to the Coulomb barrier are reported. The availability of high-resolution and low-noise energy spectra obtained in the experiment allowed to resolve the 6.05–6.13 MeV doublet in 16 O. In particular, the α π channel cross section was measured in the poorly-known 1.3 MeV bombarding energy region, and the α 0 channel was investigated in the 1.6 MeV region, where a strong discrepancy between previous data-sets is present. A comprehensive R -matrix fit, including the new data, was performed and the structure of the states ranging in the 14–15 MeV region is discussed.