Cross section of $alpha$-induced reactions on iridium isotopes obtained from thick target yield measurement for the astrophysical $gamma$ process

The stellar reaction rates of radiative $alpha$-capture reactions on heavy isotopes are of crucial importance for the $gamma$ process network calculations. These rates are usually derived from statistical model calculations, which need to be validated, but the experimental database is very scarce. This paper presents the results of $alpha$-induced reaction cross section measurements on iridium isotopes carried out at first close to the astrophysically relevant energy region. Thick target yields of $^{191}$Ir($alpha$,$gamma$)$^{195}$Au, $^{191}$Ir($alpha$,n)$^{194}$Au, $^{193}$Ir($alpha$,n)$^{196m}$Au, $^{193}$Ir($alpha$,n)$^{196}$Au reactions have been measured with the activation technique between E$_alpha = 13.4$ MeV and 17 MeV. For the first time the thick target yield was determined with X-ray counting. This led to a previously unprecedented sensitivity. From the measured thick target yields, reaction cross sections are derived and compared with statistical model calculations. The recently suggested energy-dependent modification of the $alpha$+nucleus optical potential gives a good description of the experimental data.