Cross-Section Requirements for Charged-Particle Fusion Reactors: The ⁶Li(p,³He)α Reaction

Absolute cross-section measurements for reactions among light-mass nuclei (A < 10) are important in feasibility studies of controlled thermonuclear reactor systems. For a 6Li-d fueled fusion reactor, the ⁶Li (p,³He)α reaction is of particular interest. The absolute cross sections for this reaction are incomplete and poorly known and have accordingly been remeasured in the range Ep = 3 to 12 MeV. The results support recent measurements below 3 MeV in finding the cross section to be higher in this region than previously supposed. Additional results for the ⁶Li(p,p)⁶Li and ⁶Li(p,p′)⁶Li* reactions imply the cross sections for these reactions are ∼40% higher than earlier measurements. A plot of the Maxwell-averaged reaction rate parameter, , for the ⁶Li(p,³He)α reaction is presented as a function of kT, the temperature of a p – ⁶Li plasma.