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Register a new userDirect study of the alpha-nucleus optical potential at astrophysical energies using the 64Zn(p,alpha)61Cu reaction
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In the model calculations of heavy element nucleosynthesis processes the nuclear reaction rates are taken from statistical model calculations which utilize various nuclear input parameters. It is found that in the case of reactions involving alpha particles the calculations bear a high uncertainty owing to the largely unknown low energy alpha-nucleus optical potential. Experiments are typically restricted to higher energies and therefore no direct astrophysical consequences can be drawn. In the present work a (p,alpha) reaction is used for the first time to study the alpha-nucleus optical potential. The measured 64Zn(p,alpha)61Cu cross section is uniquely sensitive to the alpha-nucleus potential and the measurement covers the whole astrophysically relevant energy range. By the comparison to model calculations, direct evidence is provided for the incorrectness of global optical potentials used in astrophysical models.
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In a recent work, the cross section measurement of the 64Zn(p,alpha)61Cu reaction was used to prove that the standard alpha-nucleus optical potentials used in astrophysical network calculation fail to reproduce the experimental data at energies relevant for heavy element nucleosynthesis. In the present paper the analysis of the obtained experimental data is continued by comparing the results with the predictions using different parameters. It is shown that the recently suggested modification of the standard optical potential leads to a better description of the data.
The synthesis of heavy, proton rich isotopes in the astrophysical gamma-process proceeds through photodisintegration reactions. For the improved understanding of the process, the rates of the involved nuclear reactions must be known. The reaction 128Ba(g,a)124Xe was found to affect the abundance of the p nucleus 124Xe. Since the stellar rate for this reaction cannot be determined by a measurement directly, the aim of the present work was to measure the cross section of the inverse 124Xe(a,g)128Ba reaction and to compare the results with statistical model predictions. Of great importance is the fact that data below the (a,n) threshold was obtained. Studying simultaneously the 124Xe(a,n)127Ba reaction channel at higher energy allowed to further identify the source of a discrepancy between data and prediction. The 124Xe + alpha cross sections were measured with the activation method using a thin window 124Xe gas cell. The studied energy range was between E = 11 and 15 MeV close above the astrophysically relevant energy range. The obtained cross sections are compared with statistical model calculations. The experimental cross sections are smaller than standard predictions previously used in astrophysical calculations. As dominating source of the difference, the theoretical alpha width was identified. The experimental data suggest an alpha width lower by at least a factor of 0.125 in the astrophysical energy range. An upper limit for the 128Ba(g,a)124Xe stellar rate was inferred from our measurement. The impact of this rate was studied in two different models for core-collapse supernova explosions of 25 solar mass stars. A significant contribution to the 124Xe abundance via this reaction path would only be possible when the rate was increased above the previous standard value. Since the experimental data rule this out, they also demonstrate the closure of this production path.
The production of 26 Al in massive stars is sensitive to the 23 Na(a,p) 26 Mg cross section. Recent experimental data suggest the currently recommended cross sections are underestimated by a factor of 40. We present here differential cross sections for the 23 Na(a,p) 26 Mg reaction measured in the energy range E c.m. = 1.7 - 2.5 MeV. Concurrent measurements of Rutherford scattering provide absolute normalisations which are independent of variations in target properties. Angular distributions were measured for both p 0 and p 1 permitting the determination of total cross sections. The results show no significant deviation from the statistical model calculations upon which the recommended rates are based. We therefore retain the previous recommendation without the increase in cross section and resulting stellar reaction rates of a factor of 40, impacting on the 26 Al yield from massive stars by more than a factor of three.
The $^{22}$Ne($alpha$,$gamma$)$^{26}$Mg and $^{22}$Ne($alpha$,n)$^{25}$Mg reactions play an important role in astrophysics because they have significant influence on the neutron flux during the weak branch of the s-process. We constrain the astrophysical rates for these reactions by measuring partial $alpha$-widths of resonances in $^{26}$Mg located in the Gamow window for the $^{22}$Ne+$alpha$ capture. These resonances were populated using $^{22}$Ne($^6$Li,d)$^{26}$Mg and $^{22}$Ne($^7$Li,t)$^{26}$Mg reactions at energies near the Coulomb barrier. At these low energies $alpha$-transfer reactions favor population of low spin states and the extracted partial $alpha$-widths for the observed resonances exhibit only minor dependence on the model parameters. The astrophysical rates for both the $^{22}$Ne($alpha$,$gamma$)$^{26}$Mg and the $^{22}$Ne($alpha$,n)$^{25}$Mg reactions are shown to be significantly different than the previously suggested values.
The most intense gamma-ray line observable from novae is likely to be from positron annihilation associated with the decay of 18F. The uncertainty in the destruction rate of this nucleus through the 18F(p,{alpha})15O reaction presents a limit to interpretation of any future observed gamma-ray flux. Direct measurements of the cross section of both this reaction and the 18F(p,p)18F reaction have been performed between center of mass energies of 0.5 and 1.9 MeV. Simultaneous fits to both data sets with the R-Matrix formalism reveal several resonances, with the inferred parameters of populated states in 19Ne in general agreement with previous measurements. Of particular interest, extra strength has been observed above ECM sim1.3 MeV in the 18F(p,p)18F reaction and between 1.3-1.7 MeV in the 18F(p,{alpha})15O reaction. This is well described by a broad 1/2+ state, consistent with both a recent theoretical prediction and an inelastic scattering measurement. The astrophysical implications of a broad sub-threshold partner to this state are discussed.
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