Angular Distribution of α-Particles from the Li⁷ (p,α) He⁴ Reaction

Abstract

A description is given of a 1 MV, electrostatic generator and ancillary equipment which has been used to study the asymmetry in the angular distribution of α-particles from the Li⁷ (p, α) He⁴ reaction. The angular distribution of the a-particles is given by the expression Y(θ) =Y(90°)[1 +A(E) cos²θ + B(E)cos⁴ θ] where A(E) and B(E) are functions of the proton energy. The form of the expression implies the existence of both p and f protons in the nuclear reaction.