Investigation of the B10(p,α)Be7 reaction from 0.8 to 2.0 MeV

Abstract

Background: A multitude of broad interfering resonances characterize the B10(p,α)Be7 cross section at low energies. The complexity of the reaction mechanism, as well as conflicting experimental measurements, have so far prevented a reliable prediction of the cross section over the energy ranges pertinent for a boron-proton fusion reactor environment. Purpose: To improve the evaluated cross section of the B10(p,α)Be7 reaction, this study targets the proton energy region from 0.8 to 2.0 MeV, where kinematic overlap of the scattered protons and reaction α particles have made past measurements very challenging. Method: New detailed studies of the reaction have been performed at the Edwards Accelerator Laboratory at Ohio University and the Nuclear Science Laboratory at the University of Notre Dame using time-of-flight and degrader foil techniques, respectively. Results: Proton and α-particle signals were clearly resolved using both techniques, and 16 point differential cross sections were measured over an angular range of θlab=45∘ and 157.5∘. A comprehensive R-matrix analysis of the experimental data, including data from previous low-energy studies of the B10(p,α)Be7, B10(p,p)B10, and B10(p,γ)C11 reactions, was achieved over the region of measurement. Using a representative set of previous data, the fit was extended to very low energies. Conclusions: On the basis of this data and R-matrix analysis, a more reliable and consistent description of the B10(p,α)Be7 cross section has been established. The uncertainty over the energy range of this study has been reduced from ≈20% to ≈10%, and the level structure over this region has been clarified considerably.8 MoreReceived 18 January 2022Accepted 26 April 2022DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.105.055802©2022 American Physical SocietyPhysics Subject Headings (PhySH)Research AreasDirect reactionsNuclear astrophysicsNuclear fusionNuclear powerNuclear reactionsNuclear reactorsNuclear structure & decaysRadiative captureResonance reactionsProperties6 ≤ A ≤ 19Nuclear PhysicsPlasma Physics