Helium production cross section measurement by helium atoms measurement system

Proton-induced helium production cross sections for nickel at proton energies up to 16 MeV have been measured with a helium accumulation method. A sample is a nickel sheet (chemical purity 99.98%, sizes 12x9x0.119 mm3) sandwiched between two gold foils (chemical purity 99.99%, size 12x9x0.051 mm3) which are collectors for the emitted α-particles from the nickel surfaces. Nine nickel samples were irradiated by protons ranging from 8.8 to 17.5 MeV at Kyushu University Tandem Accelerator Laboratory. The number of helium atoms produced and accumulated in the nickel foil and two gold collectors was measured using the helium atoms measurement system. (author)