⁵⁸​Ni(^3​​He,t)^5​8​Cu*(γ) Measurements with GODDESS to Constrain Astrophysical Rate of ^5​7​Ni(p,γ)^5​8​Cu

Nucleosynthesis models of core-collapse supernovae are validated by comparing radioisotope abundances predicted by models to abundances inferred from the observation of gamma rays emitted in supernovae remnants. One such radioisotope, ⁴⁴Ti, is especially sensitive to the reaction rate of ⁵⁷Ni(p,γ)⁵⁸Cu. To effectively validate these models, it is therefore crucial to precisely determine this rate. Despite this importance, no experimental rates exist for this reaction. To experimentally constrain this rate, GODDESS (GRETINA ORRUBA Dual Detectors for Experimental Structure Studies) was used to measure structure properties of ⁵⁸Cu via the ⁵⁸Ni(³He,t)⁵⁸Cu*(γ) reaction at Argonne National Laboratory’s ATLAS facility. The coupling of these two highly efficient arrays allows for the precise determination of ⁵⁸Cu level energies via the detection of gamma rays in coincidence with charged particles. Because the reaction rate depends exponentially on these level energies, this precision is critical. Preliminary results of the experimental data analysis will be presented.