  The structure of the $^9$Be low-lying spectrum is studied within the cluster
model $\alpha+\alpha+n$. In the model the total orbital momentum is fixed for
each energy level. Thus each level is determined as a member of the spin-flip
doublet corresponding to the total orbital momentum ($L^\pi=0^+, 2^+,4^+, 1^-,
2^-,3^-, 4^-$) of the system. The Ali-Bodmer potential (model E) is applied for
the $\alpha\alpha$ interaction. We employ a local $\alpha n$ potential which
was constructed to reproduce the $\alpha-n$ scattering data. The Pauli blocking
is simulated by the repulsive core of the $s$-wave components of these
potentials. Configuration space Faddeev equations are used to calculate the
energy of the bound state ($E_{cal.}$=-1.493 MeV v.s. $E_{exp.}$=-1.5735 MeV)
and resonances. A variant of the method of analytical continuation in the
coupling constant is applied to calculate the energies of low-lying levels.
Available $^9$Be spectral data are satisfactorily reproduced by the proposed
model.

Nuclear Theory