Nuclear Excitation Functions: ${\mathrm{Ar}}^{40}$, ${\mathrm{Zn}}^{68}$ ($d,{\mathrm{He}}^3$)

The ($d,{\mathrm{He}}^3$) reaction has been studied by radiochemical techniques. Absolute excitation functions have been determined to 15 MeV for the reactions ${\mathrm{Ar}}^{40}(d,{\mathrm{He}}^3){\mathrm{Cl}}^{39}$ and ${\mathrm{Zn}}^{68}(d,{\mathrm{He}}^3){\mathrm{Cu}}^{67}$. The ${\mathrm{Ar}}^{40}(d,{\mathrm{He}}^3){\mathrm{Cl}}^{39}$ cross section is 0.37±0.07 mb at 14.8 MeV and the ${\mathrm{Zn}}^{68}(d,{\mathrm{He}}^3){\mathrm{Cu}}^{67}$ cross section is 0.54±0.08 mb at 15.4 MeV. These cross sections are shown to be more than an order of magnitude greater than predicted by the statistical model of nuclear reactions. The energy dependence of the cross section appears to be governed by the Coulomb barrier felt by the outgoing ${\mathrm{He}}^3$ particle, at least when the ${\mathrm{He}}^3$ energy is less than the classical barrier height. The shape of the observed excitation functions may be reproduced moderately accurately by a very simple proton pickup model.