Gamma ray production cross sections in proton induced reactions on natural Mg, Si and Fe targets over the proton energy range 30 up to 66 MeV

TL;DR

This study measures gamma-ray production cross sections in proton-induced reactions on Mg, Si, and Fe targets over 30-66 MeV, providing new data relevant for astrophysics and extending previous measurements to higher energies.

Contribution

The paper presents new experimental cross section data for gamma-ray lines from Mg, Si, and Fe at energies up to 66 MeV, including first-time observations of some lines, extending prior data.

Findings

Extended gamma-ray cross section data up to 66 MeV.

First observation of certain gamma-ray lines in these reactions.

Data consistent with previous measurements at lower energies.

Abstract

Gamma-ray excitation functions have been measured for 30, 42, 54 and 66 MeV proton beams accelerated onto C + O (Mylar), Mg, Si, and Fe targets of astrophysical interest at the separate-sector cyclotron of iThemba LABS in Somerset West (Cape Town, South Africa). A large solid angle, high energy resolution detection system of the Eurogam type was used to record Gamma-ray energy spectra. Derived preliminary results of Gamma-ray line production cross sections for the Mg, Si and Fe target nuclei are reported and discussed. The current cross section data for known, intense Gamma-ray lines from these nuclei consistently extend to higher proton energies previous experimental data measured up to Ep ~ 25 MeV at the Orsay and Washington tandem accelerators. Data for new Gamma-ray lines observed for the first time in this work are also reported.