A Study of the $^{30}$S($\alpha,p$)$^{33}$Cl Reaction Rate

The $^{30}$S($\alpha,p$)$^{33}$Cl reaction rate has major implications for x-ray bursts (XRBs). No experimental information exists for this reaction rate, though XRB models have shown that it affects final isotopic abundances and the total energy output.\footnote{A. Parikh {\it et al.}, ApJ SS {\bf178}, 110 (2008).} This rate may also influence XRB observables such as the structure of double-peaked luminosity curves\footnote{J.L. Fisker {\it et al.}, ApJ {\bf608}, L61 (2004).} and the composition of the neutron star crust.\footnote{H. Schatz and K.E. Rehm, NPA {\bf777}, 601 (2006).} We have studied the time-inverse reaction $p$($^{33}$Cl,$^{30}$S)$\alpha$ at ATLAS using a radioactive $^{33}$Cl beam. The residual $^{30}$S nuclei were detected at the focal plane of the split-pole spectrograph, which was used in gas-filled mode, in coincidence with the $\alpha$ particles, which were detected in a double-sided Si detector. The experimental results and conclusions about the impact on XRB nucleosynthesis will be discussed.