Cross sections for the 168Yb(alpha,gamma)172Hf and 168Yb(alpha,n)171$Hf reactions were measured by means of the activation method using alpha particles with energies between 12.9 MeV and 15.1 MeV. The spectroscopy of the gamma rays emitted by the reaction products was performed using three different HPGe detector types, namely clover-type high-purity germanium detectors, a low-energy photon spectrometer detector, and a coaxial high-purity germanium detector. The results were compared to Hauser-Feshbach statistical model calculations. Within certain assumptions, astrophysical conclusions could be drawn concerning the production of the p nucleus 168Yb. The data in this work can serve as a contribution to the current very fragmentary experimental data base for charged-particle induced reactions. In addition, the absolute intensity for nine gamma-ray transitions following the electron capture decay of 171Hf could be derived.
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