Direct Measurement of ¹²C + ⁴He Fusion Cross Section Down to E_cm = 1 MeV and Prospects

Abstract

Direct measurement of 12 C+ 4 He 16 O+ total cross section was made at E cm = 2.4, 1.5 and 1.2 MeV, and preliminarily measurement was made at 1.0 MeV. A thick windowless 4 He target was developed and the low-energy 12 C beam intensity was increased by modifying our tandem accelerator. 16 O recoils were detected after removing large 12 C backgrounds. Remaining obstacle is 16 O backgrounds produced by stray beams. Prospects for future experiments of 12 C+ 4 He 16 O+ cross section down to E cm =0.7 MeV are presented.