Cross sections relevant to gamma-ray astronomy: Alpha-particle-induced reactions

Abstract

Gamma-ray production cross sections have been measured for the gamma-ray lines most strongly excited in the alpha-particle bombardments of $^{20}\mathrm{Ne}$, $^{24}\mathrm{Mg}$, $^{27}\mathrm{Al}$, $^{28}\mathrm{Si}$, and $^{56}\mathrm{Fe}$ for alpha-particle energies from threshold to approximately 27 MeV. Tabulations of cross sections averaged over alpha-particle energy bins of 1 MeV are provided for calculations relevant to gamma-ray line astronomy. Examples are given of astrophysical information which might be extracted from spectra acquired with gamma-ray spectrometers in space using these cross sections.[NUCLEAR REACTIONS $\ensuremath{\alpha}+^{20}\mathrm{Ne},^{24}\mathrm{Mg},^{27}\mathrm{Al},^{28}\mathrm{Si},^{56}\mathrm{Fe}$. $E=\mathrm{threshold}\mathrm{to} 27$ MeV. Measured gamma-ray production cross sections. Applications to gamma-ray astronomy. Ge(Li) detectors. Enriched targets.]