  A novel scheme for measuring the cross section of the 7Be(p,gamma)8B
reaction, the major source of high energy neutrinos from t he sun, is
presented. The scheme involves a strictly uniform particle beam and overcomes
some of the recognized experimental uncertainties of previous measurements. A
new measurement of sigma[7Li(d,p)8Li] has been carried out using this setup,and
the present value of sigma[7Li(d,p)8Li] = 155(8) mbarn at the top of the
E_d(lab.)= 776 keV resonance is compared to previous measurements. A new issue
regarding both the (d,p) and (p,gamma) reactions has been examined:
reaction-product nuclei which are backscattered out of the target. Measurements
and simulations carried out in the course of this investigation are presented
and discussed in the context of possible effects on the measured cross sections
of these reactions.
