A New Approach to Determine the 120(α, γ)16O Reaction Rate at Astrophysical Energies. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Friščić, Ivica; William Donnelly, T.; Milner, Richard G.
• Is Part Of: Journal of physics. Volume 1643(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: Physics -- Congresses; 530.5
• DOI: 10.1088/1742-6596/1643/1/012056
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1742-6588

Abstract

Abstract: The ∼100% uncertainty in the measured rate of the 12 C( α, γ) 16 O reaction at low energies ( E α c m ⩽ 1 MeV ) is the largest source of uncertainty in any stellar evolution model. With development of new, high-current, energy-recovery linear accelerators (ERLs) and high density gas targets, measurement of the 16 O( e, e′α ) 12 C reaction close to threshold using detailed balance opens up a new approach to determine the 12 C( α, γ) 16 O reaction rate with increased precision (< 20%). We have considered the optimal design of an experiment where systematic uncertainties are minimized. Once the new ERLs commence operation near their design specifications, an experiment to validate the new approach we propose should be carried out. Our method has broad applicability to radiative capture reactions in astrophysics.