An indirect study of the $^{44}$Ti($\alpha$,p)$^{47}$V stellar rate using high precision $^{50}$Cr(p,t)$^{48}$Cr reaction measurements

Observations of $^{44}$Ti ejecta in core-collapse supernova by space-based $\gamma$-ray telescopes may provide a powerful probe into the underlying core-collapse explosion mechanisms. $^{44}$Ti is believed to be produced just outside the collapsed core within regions undergoing $\alpha$-rich freeze out and its synthesis is critically sensitive to temperature, density, and Y$_{e}$ evolution. Present sensitivity studies have shown that the most influential reaction governing the synthesis of $^{44}$Ti in this scenario is the $^{44}$Ti($\alpha$,p)$^{47}$V reaction. Direct measurements of this reaction within the relevant astrophysical energies has proven difficult and therefore very little experimental information exist. The $^{44}$Ti($\alpha$,p)$^{47}$V reaction reaction rate will depend strongly on the exact characteristics and number of natural parity states in $^{48}$Cr that fall within the Gamow window. We have performed high energy-resolution zero-degree coincident measurements of the $^{50}$Cr(p,t)$^{48}$Cr reaction at iThemba LABS with the motivation of precisely identifying energies and spins of ($\alpha$,p) resonances in $^{48}$Cr. Preliminary results will be presented.