Determination of α - nucleus potentials by elastic scattering on p - nuclei

Abundance calculations for the p-nuclei involve an extended network of about 20,000 nuclear reactions of almost 2,000 nuclei. These rates are calculated with the statistical Hauser Feshbach Model (HF-Model). Elastic scattering experimental data provides a test for the global parameterizations of optical potentials that are used in these statistical model calculations. Recent experiments suggest inconsistencies between the predicted and measured (α,γ) rates which may be due to problems with the α-potential parameters. To explore these parameters the alpha scattering cross sections on 120, 124, 126, Te have been measured at energies both close below and above the Coulomb barrier at the FN tandem accelerator of the University of Notre Dame.