# Role of consistent parameter sets in an assessment of the alpha-particle optical potential below the Coulomb barrier

## TL;DR

This study confirms the reliability of a specific alpha-particle optical potential for predicting reaction cross sections below the Coulomb barrier, using high-precision experimental data and validated statistical-model parameters.

## Contribution

The paper demonstrates that a consistent alpha-particle optical potential accurately describes reaction data below the Coulomb barrier without empirical adjustments, based on analysis of independent data.

## Key findings

- Optical potential successfully describes recent reaction data
- No empirical rescaling needed for model parameters
- High-precision data allows discussion of model uncertainties

## Abstract

Background: Further studies of high-precision measurements of alpha-induced reaction data below the Coulomb barrier have still raised questions about the alpha-particle optical model potential (OMP) within various mass ranges, i.e. for 64Zn, 108Cd, 113,115In, 121,123Sb, and 191,193Ir target nuclei. Purpose: The accuracy as well as eventual uncertainties and/or systematic errors of using a previous optical potential are much better considered by analysis of such accurate data. Method: Statistical model (SM) calculations of the (alpha,x) reaction cross sections have been carried out using model parameters which were previously obtained by analyzing independent data, particularly gamma-ray strength functions, and taking into account their uncertainties and questions of extrapolation for nuclei without similar data. Results: Consistent description of the recent alpha-induced reaction data is provided by the above-mentioned optical potential with no empirical rescaling factors of either its own parameters or the gamma and/or nucleon widths. Effects of still uncertain SM parameters on calculated alpha-induced reaction cross sections and conclusions on the alpha-OMP can be now discussed due to unprecedented precision of the new data. Conclusions: The alpha-particle optical potential has been confirmed at incident energies below the Coulomb barrier using statistical-model parameters validated through a former analysis of independent data.