11 research outputs found
First direct measurement of Mg(,p)Al and implications for X-ray burst model-observation comparisons
Type-I X-ray burst (XRB) light curves are sensitive to the model's nuclear
input and consequently affects the model-observation comparisons.
Mg(,p)Al is among the most important reactions which
directly impact the XRB light curve. We report the first direct measurement of
Mg(,p)Al using the Active Target Time Projection Chamber.
XRB light curve model-observation comparison for the source
using new reaction rate implies a less-compact neutron star than previously
inferred. Additionally, our result removes an important uncertainty in XRB
model calculations that previously hindered extraction of the neutron star
compactness
Constraining the Neutron Star Compactness: Extraction of the 23Al(p,γ) Reaction Rate for the rp Process
The Al()Si reaction is among the most important
reactions driving the energy generation in Type-I X-ray bursts. However, the
present reaction-rate uncertainty limits constraints on neutron star properties
that can be achieved with burst model-observation comparisons. Here, we present
a novel technique for constraining this important reaction by combining the
GRETINA array with the neutron detector LENDA coupled to the S800 spectrograph
at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory. The Al()
reaction was used to populate the astrophysically important states in
Si. This enables a measurement in complete kinematics for extracting all
relevant inputs necessary to calculate the reaction rate. For the first time, a
predicted close-lying doublet of a 2 and (4,0) state in
Si was disentangled, finally resolving conflicting results from two
previous measurements. Moreover, it was possible to extract spectroscopic
factors using GRETINA and LENDA simultaneously. This new technique may be used
to constrain other important reaction rates for various astrophysical
scenarios
Determination and theoretical analysis of the differential cross sections of the <sup>2</sup>H(d,p) reaction at energies and detection angles suitable for NRA (Nuclear Reaction Analysis)
The accurate determination of deuteron depth profile presents a strong analytical challenge for all the principal IBA (Ion Beam Analysis) techniques. As far as NRA (Nuclear Reaction Analysis) is concerned, the 2H(d,p) reaction, seems to be a promising candidate, especially in the case of complex matrices, or for the study of deep-implanted deuteron layers. In the present work differential cross-section values for the 2H(d,p) reaction have been determined at 140°, 160° and 170°, for Ed,lab=900-1600 keV, with an energy step of 50 keV, using a well-characterized, thin C:D target deposited on a polished Si wafer. The experimental results were analyzed using the R-matrix calculations code AZURE
Determination and theoretical analysis of the differential cross sections of the <sup>2</sup>H(d,p) reaction at energies and detection angles suitable for NRA (Nuclear Reaction Analysis)
Experimental study of
40K is one of the main isotopes responsible for the radiogenic heating of the mantle in Earth-like exoplanets [1] and hence, plays a very important role in the internal geophysical dynamics of a planet. The abundance of 40K in the mantle and the core of such planets is not always possible to be determined by astrophysical observations, although constraining the nuclear reaction rates of 40K during stellar evolution can also lead to constraining the present amount of 40K in these planets, which will improve our understanding on the habitability potential of Earth-like exoplanets. This study aims to constrain the 40K(n,α)37Cl reaction rate, one of the two major destruction paths of 40K in stellar nucleosynthesis,by measuring the reverse reaction 37Cl(α,n)40K and applying the principle of detailed balance as we have done before for the 40K (40K(n,p)40Ar reaction rate) [2]. During the first set of measurements we performed differential cross-section measurements of the 37Cl(α,n1γ)40K, 37Cl(α,n2γ)40K and 37Cl(α,n3γ)40K reaction channels, for six different center of mass energies in the range between 5.1 and 5.4 MeV. The experiment took place at the Edwards Accelerator Laboratory of Ohio University. The gamma rays from the reaction channels mentioned above were detected by two LaBr3 scintillators. Using the swinger facility to change the angle of the beam-target system with respect to the detection system, we were able to take measurements for the differential cross-section at six different angles between 20° and 120° in the lab system