Measuring the <sup>18</sup>F(α,p)<sup>21</sup>Ne excitation function with a new ANASEN design
ORAL
Abstract
Several (α,p) reactions on proton-rich nuclei are among the most important nuclear reactions occurring during Type I X-ray bursts. However, large uncertainties remain in these reaction rates due to the lack of direct measurements. The Array for Nuclear Astrophysics and Structure with Exotic Nuclei (ANASEN) is a gas target and charged particle detector designed for direct measurements of (α,p) reactions. Our new approach, replacing the proportional counter with a hexagonal barrel of thin (~80 μm) silicon detectors, significantly improves the tracking resolution. The performance of this new setup was demonstrated in a measurement of the 18F(α,p)21Ne excitation function at TRIUMF-ISAC, which may impact asymptotic giant branch nucleosynthesis and helium burning on accreting white dwarfs. Results will be presented and plans for future measurements at TRIUMF-ISAC and FRIB will be discussed.
*This material is based upon work supported by NSF Grant No. PHY-2412808, US DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-96ER40978, US DOE Grant No. DE-AC02-6CH11357, and the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program under Grant No. GR-00010333.
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Presenters
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Keilah Davis
- Louisiana State University