The Transmutation ofN14by Protons

The reaction ${\mathrm{N}}^{14}(p,\gamma ){\mathrm{O}}^{15}$ has been studied experimentally in the energy range 0.25 to 2.6 Mev, using protons accelerated by an electrostatic generator and observing the induced ${\mathrm{O}}^{15}$ positron activity. Excitation curves have been obtained from ${\mathrm{Be}}_3$ ${\mathrm{N}}_2$ targets, nitrogen gas targets, and a thin target formed by proton bombardment of a copper foil in a nitrogen atmosphere. The experimental cross section can be described by nine resonances, whose parameters are given. The bearing of these results on the yield of this reaction at stellar temperatures is discussed.