Neutron-upscattering enhancement of the triple-alpha process

Bishop, J.; Parker, C. E.; Rogachev, G. V.; Ahn, S.; Koshchiy, E.; Brandenburg, K.; Brune, C. R.; Charity, R. J.; Derkin, J.; Dronchi, N.; Hamad, G.; Jones-Alberty, Y.; Kokalova, Tz.; Massey, T. N.; Meisel, Z.; Ohstrom, E. V.; Paneru, S. N.; Pollacco, E. C.; Saxena, M.; Singh, N.; Smith, R.; Sobotka, L. G.; Soltesz, D.; Subedi, S. K.; Voinov, A. V.; Warren, J.; Wheldon, C.

doi:10.1038/s41467-022-29848-7

Neutron-upscattering enhancement of the triple-alpha process

Journal Article · Wed Apr 20 00:00:00 EDT 2022 · Nature Communications

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-29848-7· OSTI ID:1864069

; ; ; ; ; Brandenburg, K.; ; ; Derkin, J.; Dronchi, N.; Hamad, G.; Jones-Alberty, Y.; ; Massey, T. N.; Meisel, Z.; Ohstrom, E. V.; ; Pollacco, E. C.; Saxena, M.; Singh, N. more »

Abstract

The neutron inelastic scattering of carbon-12, populating the Hoyle state, is a reaction of interest for the triple-alpha process. The inverse process (neutron upscattering) can enhance the Hoyle state’s decay rate to the bound states of ¹² C, effectively increasing the overall triple-alpha reaction rate. The cross section of this reaction is impossible to measure experimentally but has been determined here at astrophysically-relevant energies using detailed balance. Using a highly-collimated monoenergetic beam, here we measure neutrons incident on the Texas Active Target Time Projection Chamber (TexAT TPC) filled with CO ₂ gas, we measure the 3 α -particles (arising from the decay of the Hoyle state following inelastic scattering) and a cross section is extracted. Here we show the neutron-upscattering enhancement is observed to be much smaller than previously expected. The importance of the neutron-upscattering enhancement may therefore not be significant aside from in very particular astrophysical sites (e.g. neutron star mergers).

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Research Organization:: Ohio University, Athens, OH (United States); Texas A & M University, College Station, TX (United States); Washington University, St. Louis, MO (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: National Science Foundation (NSF); Nuclear Solutions Institute; Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC); USDOE; USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); USDOE Office of Science (SC)

Grant/Contract Number:: FG02-87ER40316; FG02-88ER40387; FG02-93ER40773; NA0003841; NA0003883; NA0003909; SC0019042

OSTI ID:: 1864069

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1904601

Journal Information:: Nature Communications, Journal Name: Nature Communications Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 13; ISSN 2041-1723

Publisher:: Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United Kingdom

Language:: English

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