Proton capture cross section of 7Be and the flux of high energy solar neutrinos

The low energy cross section for the 7Be(p, γ)8B reaction has been measured by detecting the delayed α particles from the 8B beta decay. Detailed discussion is presented of the analysis of the radioactive 7Be target including the use of two independent methods to determine the 7Be areal density. The direct capture part of the cross section is subtracted from the total cross section to deduce resonance parameters for the 1+ first excited state in 8B. The zero-energy astrophysical S factor inferred from the present experiment is compared with previous values. The effect on the 37Cl solar neutrino capture rate, predicted by the standard solar model, is also discussed.