A Study of the Transmutation of Nitrogen by Protons

Author: Duncan, Donal Baker

Year: 1951

Degree: Dissertation (Ph.D.)

Advisors: Lauritsen, Charles Christian; Fowler, William A.

Committee Member: Unknown, Unknown

Option: Physics; Mathematics

DOI: 10.7907/Y021-RA24

Abstract

An experimental investigation has been made of the cross section for the N¹⁴(pγ)O¹⁵ reaction using protons accelerated by an electrostatic generator. Excitation curves have been obtained from Be₃N₂ targets, nitrogen gas targets, and a thin target formed by proton bombardment of a copper foil in a nitrogen atmosphere. It has been found possible to describe the experimental cross section from .250 to 2.6 MeV by assuming the existence of nine resonances. The parameters appropriate for a theoretical description of the resonances are determined from the experimental data. The yields from the various resonances are extrapolated to the low energies corresponding to stellar temperatures. It has not been possible to make more than very uncertain assignment of such properties as the angular momentum and parity for the excited levels in O¹⁵ that are indicated by the cross section.

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