THE FE-54,FE-56)(N, P) MN-54,MN-56 REACTIONS AT E(N)=97 MEV

Double-differential cross sections of the Fe-54,Fe-56(n, p) reactions have been measured at 97 MeV in the angular range 0-30-degrees for exc itation energies up to 40 MeV. The spectra have been decomposed into d ifferent multipolarities by a technique based on the use of sample ang ular distributions calculated within the distorted-wave Born approxima tion. From the identified Gamow-Teller strength, S(beta)+ values were obtained for Fe-54 Fe and Fe-56. Comparisons with available shell-mode l calculations of the GT strength were made. The results are important for models of supernova explosions since electron-capture rates, whic h are proportional to S(beta)+, in 1f2p-shell nuclei affect the dynami cs of the star. At higher excitation energies, the spectra are dominat ed by L = 1 strength in broad distributions with a maximum at about 12 MeV. Microscopic calculations based on the random-phase approximation were performed and compared with the experimental data.