Absolute cross section of p(⁷Be,γ)⁸B using a novel approach

Abstract:

The absolute cross section σ (E) of the radiative capture reaction p(⁷Be,γ)⁸B at the center-of-mass energy E = 992 keV has been measured using a radioactive ⁷Be ion beam and a windowless gas target system filled with H₂ gas. The ⁸B residual nuclides were detected with a recoil separator consisting of momentum and velocity filters and a ΔE-E detector telescope. The ⁸B yield was observed concurrently with the ⁷Be + p elastic scattering yield, relating σ(E) to the Rutherford scattering cross section. The resulting value, σ(E) = 0.41 ± 0.11 μb, leads to an S(E) factor at zero energy of S(0) = 16 ± 4 eV b, in fair agreement with recommended values.