Versatile beam calorimeter with a heat flux sensor

A versatile calorimeter has been developed to study astrophysical S factors for fusion reactions with gaseous targets. The number of incident projecti les are deduced from the deposited power. The principal technique employed here is based on the heat flux sensor output transferred linearly from the heat flow. Absolute values at various energies are obtained by calibration with current measurements by using a Faraday cup. This calorimeter is prese ntly applied in measurement of the solar He-3+He-3 fusion reaction with an accuracy better than 2%. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.