Cross sections and thermonuclear reaction rates for 51(α, n)54Mn and 51(α, p)54Cr

The cross sections of51V(α, n)54Mn and 51V(α, p)54Cr have been measured in the bombarding-energy ranges of 2.00–9.49 MeV and 5.755–9.590 MeV, respectively. The cross sections, together with cross sections of 54Cr(p, γ)55Mn and 54Cr(p, n)54Mn taken from the literature, have been compared with the results of statistical-model calculations. Thermonuclear reaction rates at temperatures appropriate to silicon burning in massive stars and supernovae have been calculated for both reactions.