The ^(26)Al(p,γ)^(27)Si reaction : stellar origins of galactic ^(26)Al

To explain the ^(26)Mg isotopic anomaly seen in meteorites (^(26)Al daughter) as well as the observation of 1809-keV γ rays in the interstellar medium (live decay of 26Al) one must know, among other things, the destruction rate of ^(26)Al. Properties of states in ^(27)Si just above the ^(26)Al + p mass were investigated to determine the destruction rate of ^(26)Al via the ^(26)Al(p,γ)^(27)Si reaction at astrophysical temperatures.

Twenty micrograms of ^(26)Al were used to produce two types of Al_2O_3 targets by evaporation of the oxide. One was onto a thick platinum backing suitable for (p,γ) work, and the other onto a thin carbon foil for the (^3He,d) reaction.

The ^(26)Al(p,γ)^(27)Si excitation function, obtained using a germanium detector and voltage-ramped target, confirmed known resonances and revealed new ones at 770, 847, 876, 917, and 928 keV. Possible resonances below the lowest observed one at E_p = 286 keV were investigated using the ^(26)Al(^3He,d)^(27)Si proton-transfer reaction. States in 27Si corresponding to 196- and 286-keV proton resonances were observed. A possible resonance at 130 keV (postulated in prior work) was shown to have a strength of wγ less than 0.02 µeV.

By arranging four large Nal detector as a 47π calorimeter, the 196-keV proton resonance, and one at 247 keV, were observed directly, having wγ = 55± 9 and 10 ± 5 µeV, respectively.

Large uncertainties in the reaction rate have been reduced. At novae temperatures, the rate is about 100 times faster than that used in recent model calculations, casting some doubt on novae production of galactic ^(26)Al.

The energy spectra of uranium atoms sputtered from uranium metal and uranium dioxide targets

The energy spectra of ²³⁵U atoms sputtered from a 93% enriched ²³⁵U metal foil and a hot pressed ²³⁵U0₂ pellet by an 80 keV ⁴⁰Ar⁺ beam have been measured in the range 1 eV to 1 keV. The measurements were made using a mechanical time-of-flight spectrometer in conjunction with the fission track technique for detecting ²³⁵U. The design and construction of this spectrometer are discussed in detail, and its operation is mathematically analyzed.

The results of the experiment are discussed in the context of the random collision cascade model of sputtering. The spectrum obtained by the sputtering of the ²³⁵U metal target was found to be well described by the functional form E(E+E_b)^-2.77, where E_b = 5.4 eV. The ²³⁵U0₂ target produced a spectrum that peaked at a lower energy (~ 2 eV) and decreased somewhat more rapidly for E ≳ 100 eV.