Nitrogen Induced Nuclear Reactions in Sodium

The nuclear reactions 23Na(14N;αp)32P and 23Na (14N;α2p) 31Si are analysed on the basis of the compound nucleus model. The ratio of the cross sections in both reactions at 26 Mev bombarding ion energy seems to be fairly well reproduced in terms of the usual compound nucleus picture, but the absolute values of these cross sections are anomalously small. Taking account of the effects of depressed Coulomb barrier height, we obtain the right order of magnitudes for the excitation cross sections of both reactions. According to the present investigation, it seems to be rather premature to argue definitely for the presence of buckshot type nuclear reaction, but suggestions and discussions concerning the reaction mechanism of the heavy ion induced nuclear reactions are given.