Thermal neutron induced (n,p) and (n,alpha) reactions on 37Ar

The 37Ar(n_th,alpha)34S and 37Ar(n_th,p)37Cl reactions were studied at the high flux reactor of the ILL in Grenoble. For the 37Ar(n_th,alpha_0) and 37Ar(n_th,p) reaction cross sections, values of (1070+/-80)b and (37+/-4)b, respectively, were obtained. Both values are about a factor 2 smaller than results of older measurements. The observed suppression of the 37(n_th,alpha_1) transition could be verified from theoretical considerations. Finally, evidence was found for the two-step 37Ar(n_th,gamma- alpha) process.