ABSOLUTE CROSS SECTIONS OF THE REACTIONS Na$sup 23$(n,p)Ne$sup 23$ AND Na$sup 23$(n,$alpha$) F$sup 2$$sup 0$

The absolute cross sections for the competing reactions Na/sup 2//sup 3/ (n,p)Ne/sup 2//sup 3/ and Na/sup 2//sup 3/(n, alpha )F/sup 2//sup 0/ are measured at 4 to 19 Mev by the activation method, using neutrons from the H/sup 2/(d,n) He/ sup 3/, N/sup 1//sup 4/(d,n)O/sup 1//sup 5/, C/sup 1//sup 4/(d,n)N/sup 1//sup 5/, and H/sup 3/(d, n)He/sup 4/ reactions. The excitation curves thus obtained are compared with theoretical results based upon the statistical theory. A fit is obtained for the (n,p) reaction, but discrepancies exist between the measured and calculated (n, alpha ) cross sections. (auth)