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Register a new userSpectroscopy of $^{19}$Ne for the thermonuclear $^{15}$O($alpha,gamma$)$^{19}$Ne and $^{18}$F($p,alpha$)$^{15}$O reaction rates
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Uncertainties in the thermonuclear rates of the $^{15}$O($alpha,gamma$)$^{19}$Ne and $^{18}$F($p,alpha$)$^{15}$O reactions affect model predictions of light curves from type I X-ray bursts and the amount of the observable radioisotope $^{18}$F produced in classical novae, respectively. To address these uncertainties, we have studied the nuclear structure of $^{19}$Ne over $E_{x} = 4.0 - 5.1$ MeV and $6.1 - 7.3$ MeV using the $^{19}$F($^{3}$He,t)$^{19}$Ne reaction. We find the $J^{pi}$ values of the 4.14 and 4.20 MeV levels to be consistent with $9/2^{-}$ and $7/2^{-}$ respectively, in contrast to previous assumptions. We confirm the recently observed triplet of states around 6.4 MeV, and find evidence that the state at 6.29 MeV, just below the proton threshold, is either broad or a doublet. Our data also suggest that predicted but yet unobserved levels may exist near the 6.86 MeV state. Higher resolution experiments are urgently needed to further clarify the structure of $^{19}$Ne around the proton threshold before a reliable $^{18}$F($p,alpha$)$^{15}$O rate for nova models can be determined.
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Classical novae result from thermonuclear explosions producing several $gamma$-ray emitters which are prime targets for satellites observing in the MeV range. The early 511 keV gamma-ray emission depends critically on the $^{18}$F(p,$alpha$)$^{15}$O reaction rate which, despite many experimental and theoretical efforts, still remains uncertain. One of the main uncertainties in the $^{18}$F(p,$alpha$)$^{15}$O reaction rate is the contribution in the Gamow window of interference between sub-threshold $^{19}$Ne states and known broad states at higher energies. Therefore the goal of this work is to clarify the existence and the nature of these sub-threshold states. States in the $^{19}$Ne compound nucleus were studied at the Tandem-ALTO facility using the $^{19}$F($^3$He,t)$^{19}$Ne charge exchange reaction. Tritons were detected with an Enge Split-pole spectrometer while decaying protons or $alpha$-particles from unbound $^{19}$Ne states were collected, in coincidence, with a double-sided silicon strip detector array. Angular correlations were extracted and constraints on the spin and parity of decaying states established. The coincidence yield at $E_x$ = 6.29 MeV was observed to be high spin, supporting the conclusion that it is indeed a doublet consisting of high spin and low spin components. Evidence for a broad, low spin state was observed around 6 MeV. Branching ratios were extracted for several states above the proton threshold and were found to be consistent with the literature. R-matrix calculations show the relative contribution of sub-threshold states to the astrophysically important energy region above the proton threshold. The levels schemes of $^{19}$Ne and $^{19}$F are still not sufficiently well known and further studies of the analogue assignments are needed. The tentative broad state at 6 MeV may only play a role if the reduced proton width is large.
The $^{15}$O($alpha$,$gamma$)$^{19}$Ne reaction is responsible for breakout from the hot CNO cycle in Type I x-ray bursts. Understanding the properties of resonances between $E_x = 4$ and 5 MeV in $^{19}$Ne is crucial in the calculation of this reaction rate. The spins and parities of these states are well known, with the exception of the 4.14- and 4.20-MeV states, which have adopted spin-parities of 9/2$^-$ and 7/2$^-$, respectively. Gamma-ray transitions from these states were studied using triton-$gamma$-$gamma$ coincidences from the $^{19}$F($^{3}$He,$tgamma$)$^{19}$Ne reaction measured with GODDESS (Gammasphere ORRUBA Dual Detectors for Experimental Structure Studies) at Argonne National Laboratory. The observed transitions from the 4.14- and 4.20-MeV states provide strong evidence that the $J^pi$ values are actually 7/2$^-$ and 9/2$^-$, respectively. These assignments are consistent with the values in the $^{19}$F mirror nucleus and in contrast to previously accepted assignments.
The breakout reaction $^{15}$O($alpha,gamma$)$^{19}$Ne, which regulates the flow between the hot CNO cycle and the rp-process, is critical for the explanation of the burst amplitude and periodicity of X-ray bursters. We report on the first successful measurement of the critical $alpha$-decay branching ratios of relevant states in $^{19}$Ne populated via $^{19}$F($^3$He,t)$^{19}$Ne. Based on the experimental results and our previous lifetime measurements of these states, we derive the first experimental rate of $^{15}$O($alpha,gamma$)$^{19}$Ne. The impact of our experimental results on the burst pattern and periodicity for a range of accretion rates is analyzed.
The thermonuclear $^{19}$F($p$,$alpha_0$)$^{16}$O reaction rate in a temperature region of 0.007--10 GK has been derived by re-evaluating the available experimental data, together with the low-energy theoretical $R$-matrix extrapolations. Our new rate deviates up to about 30% compared to the previous ones, although all rates are consistent within the uncertainties. At very low temperature (e.g. 0.01 GK) our reaction rate is about 20% smaller than the most recently published rate, because of a difference in the low energy extrapolated $S$-factor and a more accurate estimate of the reduced mass entering in the calculation of the reaction rate. At temperatures above $sim$1 GK, our rate is smaller, for instance, by about 20% around 1.75 GK, because we have re-evaluated in a meticulous way the previous data (Isoya et al., Nucl. Phys. 7, 116 (1958)). The present interpretation is supported by the direct experimental data. The uncertainties of the present evaluated rate are estimated to be about 20% in the temperature region below 0.2 GK, which are mainly caused by the lack of low-energy experimental data and the large uncertainties of the existing data. The asymptotic giant branch (AGB) star evolves at temperatures below 0.2 GK, where the $^{19}$F($p$,$alpha$)$^{16}$O reaction may play a very important role. However, the current accuracy of the reaction rate is insufficient to help to describe, in a careful way, for the fluorine overabundances phenomenon observed in AGB stars. Precise cross section (or $S$ factor) data in the low energy region are therefore mandatory for astrophysical nucleosynthesis studies.
Context. Direct observation of gamma-ray emission from the decay of $^{18}$F ejected in classical nova outbursts remains a major focus of the nuclear astrophysics community. However, modeling the abundance of ejected $^{18}$F, and thus the predicted detectability distance of a gamma-ray signal near 511 keV emitted from these transient thermonuclear episodes, is hampered by significant uncertainties in our knowledge of the key $^{18}$F(p,$alpha$) reaction rate. Aims. We analyze uncertainties in the most recent nuclear physics experimental results employed to calculate the $^{18}$F(p,$alpha$) reaction rate. Our goal is to determine which uncertainties have the most profound influence on the predicted abundance of $^{18}$F ejected from novae, in order to guide future experimental works. Methods. We calculated a wide range of $^{18}$F(p,$alpha$) reaction rates using R-Matrix formalism, allowing us to take into account all interference effects. Using a selection of 16 evenly-spaced rates over the full range, we performed 16 new hydrodynamic nova simulations. Results. We performed one of the most thorough theoretical studies of the impact of the $^{18}$F(p,$alpha$) reaction in classical novae to date. The $^{18}$F(p,$alpha$) rate remains highly uncertain at nova temperatures, resulting in a factor ~10 uncertainty in the predicted abundance of $^{18}$F ejected from nova explosions. We also found that the abundance of $^{18}$F may be strongly correlated with that of $^{19}$F. Conclusions. Despite numerous nuclear physics uncertainties affecting the $^{18}$F(p,$alpha$) reaction rate, which are dominated by unknown interference signs between 1/2$^+$ and 3/2$^+$ resonances, future experimental work should focus on firmly and precisely determining the directly measurable quantum properties of the subthreshold states in the compound nucleus $^{19}$Ne near 6.13 and 6.29 MeV.
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