T(p, γ)He4Reaction

Abstract

The $\mathrm{T}(p, \gamma ){\mathrm{He}}^4$ reaction has been studied over the proton energy range 0.1 to 6.2 Mev, by detecting the gamma rays with a sodium iodide scintillation counter. The 90° excitation function rises to a maximum in the region of 4 to 5 Mev and drops off slightly at higher energies. The angular distribution, measured at four energies, shows that in addition to the ${sin}^2\theta$ distribution previously reported there is a small asymmetry about 90° of the form ${sin}^2\theta cos\theta$, which increases with proton bombarding energy. This asymmetry has been studied over the entire energy range. Absolute yield measurements of the reaction give a 90° differential cross section at 1 Mev at 3.65×${10}^{-30\mathrm{}}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^2$ per steradian, which is considerably lower than has been previously reported.