Low-energy cross sections for11B(p, 3α)

Abstract

The11B(p, 3 α) reaction has been investigated in the energy range from Ec.m.=22 to 1100 keV with the use of either a proton beam and a11B solid target or with the use of a11B heavy ion beam incident on a hydrogen jet gas target. The reaction mechanisms have been studied via kinematically complete coincidence measurements showing that the reaction proceeds predominantly by a sequential decay via8Be. The measurement of absolute cross sections, α-angular distributions and excitation functions is reported. The astrophysical S(E) factor has been described by means of an empirical fit to the data, leading to a zero-energy intercept of S(0)=197±12 MeV b. Conclusions drawn on the use of this reaction as an advanced fuel in fusion reactors remain essentially unchanged by the present data. © 1987 Springer-Verlag.