Cross sections of 43Sc, 44Sc, 46Sc isotopes formed in the 45Sc + 3He reaction

Reactions ⁴⁵Sc(³He, αn)⁴³Sc, ⁴⁵Sc(³He, α)⁴⁴Sc and ⁴⁵Sc(³He, 2p)⁴⁶Sc in the ³He energy range of 5 to 24 MeV are investigated in experiments performed with a ³He ion beam during the irradiation of U-120M cyclotron scandium targets. Activation is used to determine the yield of nascent Sc isotopes. The γ activity induced in targets is measured using a high-resolution HPGe detector. The character of the excitation function changes during the formation of these ions and differs from the excitation functions for deuterons, despite the low bond energy of ³He and the positive values of the Q reactions leading to the formation of ⁴⁴Sc and ⁴⁶Sc isotopes. The cross sections of ⁴⁴Sc formation reach their maximum value at the Coulomb barrier of the reaction, due to the stable ⁴He nucleus that accompanies the formation of ⁴⁴Sc. The contribution from different reaction mechanisms to the cross sections of ⁴³Sc, ⁴⁴Sc, and ⁴⁶Sc isotope formation are considered.