Excitation functions of (p,n) reactions on ¹¹⁵, ¹¹⁶, ¹²⁰Sn

Using the activation technique (p,n)-reaction cross sections of the tin isotopes with A=115, 116 and 120, the first of which is a p-process isotope, have been measured in the proton energy range between 4.5 and 9.0 MeV, corresponding to stellar temperatures T₉ > 3. Thin selfsupporting foils of enriched tin isotopes were irradiated at the Kharkiv linear accelerator with proton beam intensities of (100...150) nA. The induced activities were measured with a calibrated Ge(Li)-detector. The cross sections for the production of isomeric states in ¹¹⁶Sb (J_m=8^-, J_g=3⁺) and ¹²⁰Sb (J_m=8^-, J_g=1⁺) were determined separately. The total cross sections of the ¹²⁰Sn(p,n)¹²⁰Sb reaction are compared with the results of other authors obtained with the neutron counting technique in this incident proton energy range. The cross sections, astrophysical S-factors, and reaction rates derived from the experiment are compared with Hauser-Feshbach statistical theory predictions. In general, good agreement is found.