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 pa
rticles 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.
Captures of alpha particles on the proton-richest Barium isotope, 130Ba, have been studied in order to provide cross section data for the modeling of the astrophysical gamma process. The cross sections of the 130Ba(alpha,gamma)134Ce and 130Ba(alpha,n
)133Ce reactions have been measured with the activation technique in the center-of mass energy range between 11.6 and 16 MeV, close above the astrophysically relevant energies. As a side result, the cross section of the 132Ba(alpha,n)135Ce reaction has also been measured. The results are compared with the prediction of statistical model calculations, using different input parameters such as alpha+nucleus optical potentials. It is found that the (alpha,n) data can be reproduced employing the standard alpha+nucleus optical potential widely used in astrophysical applications. Assuming its validity also in the astrophysically relevant energy window, we present new stellar reaction rates for 130Ba(alpha,gamma)134Ce and 132Ba(alpha,gamma)136Ce and their inverse reactions calculated with the SMARAGD statistical model code. The highly increased 136Ce(gamma,alpha)132Ba rate implies that the p nucleus 130Ba cannot directly receive contributions from the Ce isotopic chain. Further measurements are required to better constrain this result.
