Searching for the low-energy resonances in the 12C( 12C,n)23Mg reaction cross section relevant for s-process nucleosynthesis

B. Bucher, X. Fang, S. Almaraz-Calderon, A. Alongi, A. D. Ayangeakaa, M. Beard, A. Best, J. Browne, C. Cahillane, M. Couder, R. Deboer, A. Kontos, A. Long, W. Lu, S. Lyons, M. Notani, D. Patel, N. Paul, A. Roberts, D. RobertsonK. Smith, E. Stech, R. Talwar, W. Tan, X. D. Tang

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

The 12C(12C,n) reaction (Q=-2.6 MeV) is a potential neutron source for the weak s-process occurring in shell-carbon burning of massive stars. The uncertainty in this reaction rate limits our understanding of the production of elements in the range 60 < A < 110. Current stellar models must rely on the smooth extrapolation of a dubious statistical model calculation based on experimental data taken at energies well above the Gamow window which lies below 3.2 MeV. At Notre Dame, this reaction cross section has been measured in finer steps at energies above 3.5 MeV, while successful measurements down to 3.1 MeV have just recently been achieved. In addition, a new extrapolation based on measurements of the mirror system has been developed which predicts a number of low-energy resonances while accounting well for the high-energy resonances. An overview of this work along with the most recent results and astrophysical implications are presented.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number012141
JournalJournal of Physics: Conference Series
Volume420
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013
Event11th International Conference on Nucleus-Nucleus Collisions, NN 2012 - San Antonio, TX, United States
Duration: May 27 2012Jun 1 2012

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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