$^{18}$Ne level structure and the $^{14}$O($\alpha$,p) reaction rate

On one of the hot CNO waiting points, the $^{14}$O($\alpha$,p) reaction plays an important role in explosive hydrogen burning environments like X-ray bursts. It proceeds through the resonances (above the alpha-decay threshold) in $^{18}$Ne. The level structure of $^{18}$Ne above the alpha-decay threshold has been studied using the $^{16O}$($^3$He,n) reaction at Notre Dame. A coincidence measurement of neutrons and charged particles decaying from populated states in $^{18}$Ne has been made. Decay branching ratios were measured for six resonances and used to calculate the $^{14}$O($\alpha$,p)$^{17}$F reaction rate. The new experimental information combined with previous experimental and theoretical information provides a more accurate calculation of the reaction rate.