Theoretical investigation of the 19F(p, p0) differential cross section up to Ep = 2.3 MeV

The use of experimental cross-section data on fluorine in analytical EBS studies is quite problematic, because they are indeed inadequate and discrepant (up to ∼30%). The evaluated values on the other hand, being produced by incorporating the available experimental cross sections within a unified theoretical approach, provide the most reliable data to be used and are therefore very important. The present work contributes in this field by reproducing and attempting to extend the corresponding evaluation for 19F(p, p0), which ranges up to 1730 keV, to proton energies up to 2250 keV, using the AZURE code. The performed R-matrix calculations involved the simultaneous analysis of several experimental input datasets, as well as spectroscopic information concerning the formed compound nucleus 20Ne, while valuable feedback information was provided by proton benchmarking spectra on ZnF2 taken at Ep = 1730 and 2250 keV and at several backscattering angles for the fine tuning of the parameters used. The problem of the 19F(p, p′) and 19F(p, αx) contributions in the obtained thick target yield spectra is also discussed.