Investigation of α-induced reactions on the p nucleus ¹⁶⁸Yb

Cross sections for the 168Yb(α,γ)172Hf and 168Yb(α,n)171Hf reactions were measured by means of the activation method using α particles with energies between 12.9 MeV and 15.1 MeV. The spectroscopy of the γ rays emitted by there action products was performed using three different HPGe detector types, namely clover-type high-purity germanium detectors, a low-energy photon spectrometer detector, and a coaxial high-purity germanium detector. The results were compared to Hauser–Feshbach statistical model calculations. Within certain assumptions, astrophysical conclusions could be drawn concerning the production of the p nucleus 168Yb. The data in this work can serve as a contribution to the current very fragmentary experimental database for charged-particle induced reactions. In addition, the absolute intensity for nine γ-ray transitions following the electron capture decay of 171Hf could be derived.