Activation method combined with characteristic X-ray counting : A possibility to measure (alpha, gamma) cross sections on heavy p-nuclei
Author
Kiss, G. G.
Szuecs, T.
Gyuerky, Gy.
Fueloep, Zs.
Farkas, J.
Kertesz, Zs.
Somorjai, E.
Laubenstein, M.
Froehlich, C.
Rauscher, T.
Attention
2299/10391
Abstract
For an improved modeling of the astrophysical nucleosynthesis of p-nuclei, low energy cross section data of alpha-induced reactions on heavy isotopes are needed. Technical difficulties hamper the experimental determination of these cross sections, therefore the relevant experimental data are almost completely missing. Here we present a new method for the cross section measurements, the activation technique based on the detection of characteristic X-ray radiation. The feasibility of the method is illustrated through the measurement of the Tm-169(alpha, gamma)Lu-173 and Tm-169(alpha, n)Lu-172 reaction cross sections. Despite the relatively long half-life of the reaction products (T-1/2 = 500 and 6.7 days, respectively) it was possible to measure the cross section of the Tm-169(alpha, gamma)Lu-173 reaction between E-c.m. = 13.16 and 17.08 MeV. The Tm-169(alpha, n)Lu-172 reaction cross section was derived from close above the threshold up to E-c.m.. = 17.08 MeV. Details of the new method and the experimental results are presented. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.