Cross-sections of 11B(p,α)8Be reaction for boron analysis

Nuclear reaction, 11B(p,α)8Be, shows great potentials in boron characterization of materials due to its large cross-section at the broad resonance at 660 keV. Unfortunately, the existing cross-section data on this reaction show errors of up to 30% and inconsistency as high as 50%. All previously published cross-sections of this reaction were based on assumptions or on more or less arbitrary convention. We present an accurate measurement of the cross-sections of nuclear reaction 11B(p,α1)8Be* using self-supported 11B foil target, high resolution detection and careful analysis of the α-spectra. An accurate cross-section with α1 was obtained with careful spectrum stripping of α1 from the α12 continuum. Cross-section with α1+α12 under more definite and realistic convention is also given for practical applications. Cross-sections are given in graphical form for θlab=150°.