Understanding Na22 Cosmic Abundances
POSTER
Abstract
22Na is an elusive cosmic gamma ray emitter that should be abundant as a product of novae, but this isotope is as of yet unobserved except in the central galactic bulge. The discrepancy could be resolved through a recent measurement of 23Mg structure, which discovered a level that may have significant implications on the rate for 22Na destruction via the 22Na(p,gamma)23Mg reaction. One of the main goals of this project is to perform a direct (p,gamma) measurement of the new resonance using a beam of protons that will be accelerated to impinge on a 22Na radioactive target. The target will be produced at TRIUMF-ISAC in Canada. We are currently in the beginning stages of setting up this experiment at CENPA. I will explain the motivations for the experiment, describe the set up, and present calculations that allow optimization of our beam-line design.