Determining reaction cross sections via characteristic X-ray detection: α-induced reactions on 169Tm for the astrophysical γ -process
Abstract
The cross sections of the 169Tm(α, γ)173Lu and 169Tm(α,n)172Lu reactions have been measured first time using a new method, by detecting the characteristic X-ray radiation following the electron capturedecay of 172,173Lu. Despite the relatively long half-life of the reaction products (T1/2 = 500 and 6.7 days, respectively) it was possible to measure the cross section of the 169Tm(α,γ)173Lu reaction close to the Gamow window (T9 = 3.5 GK), between Ec.m. = 13.16 and 17.08 MeV. The 169Tm(α,n)172Lu reaction cross section was measured from Ec.m. = 11.21 MeV up to Ec.m. = 17.08 MeV. The experimental results have been compared to theoretical predictions
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