Proton Bombardment of the Lithium Isotopes

Thin targets of ordinary lithium have been bombarded by protons over the energy range 0.4 Mev to 3.6 Mev. Observations of the magnetically analyzed reaction and scattered particles were made at 164^∘{} to the incident beam. Differential cross-section curves were obtained for protons scattered elastically and inelastically from Li⁷, elastically from Li⁶, and for the He⁴ and He³ particles from the Li⁶(p,α)He³ reaction. The Li⁶ data show an excited state in Be⁷ at about 7.2 Mev and also a lower and very broad state. Possible correspondence to levels in the mirror nucleus Li⁷ is discussed. The protons scattered inelastically from Li⁷ do not show any resonances above Eₚ=1.5 Mev. The Li⁷ elastic scattering cross section has maxima at proton energies of 1.05 Mev, 1.88 Mev, and 2.06 Mev.