The N¹⁵ + H¹ Reactions

The excitation curve of the reactions (1) N15(p,α)C12, (2) N15(p,α')C12*, (3) N15(p,γ)O16 has been measured from 0.2 to 1.6 Mev. The thick target yield of reaction (1) was also measured at 100 kev. A special proportional counter was constructed for this purpose. Approximate theoretical and empirical expressions for some characteristics of proportional counters are given. Cross sections and nuclear widths without barrier have been calculated for all resonances found. Using intensity arguments, an assignment of parity and total angular momentum is proposed for some levels in O16 and C17. As these reactions are part of Bethe's carbon cycle in stellar energy production, the cross sections have been extrapolated to stellar energies