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Title: Implications of the sup 14 C(. alpha. ,. gamma. ) sup 18 O reaction for nonstandard big bang nucleosynthesis

Journal Article · · Physical Review, C (Nuclear Physics); (United States)
 [1]
  1. A.W. Wright Nuclear Structure Laboratory, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511 (United States)

The thermonuclear burning rates for the {sup 14}C({alpha},{gamma}){sup 18}O radiative capture reaction are calculated at temperatures (0.3{lt}{ital T}{lt}10 GK) of relevance to the early universe. These rates are particularly important for estimating the formation of heavy elements in an inhomogeneous big bang nucleosynthesis, proposed by Applegate, Hogan, and Scherrer (that would suggest the quark-gluon to hadron phase transition is first order). We investigate the effect of a possible new broad ({Gamma}{approx}0.45 MeV) 1{sup {minus}} state, at approximately 9.0 MeV in {sup 18}O as would be deduced from the Yale-Michigan State University measurement of the beta-delayed alpha-particle emission of {sup 18}N and suggested by the Notre Dame-Caltech measurement of the nonresonant {sup 14}C({alpha},{gamma}){sup 18}O cross section. The gamma widths of the proposed broad state is estimated using the Alhassid, Gai, and Bertsch sum rule, and an experimental study is proposed.

DOE Contract Number:
FG02-91ER40609
OSTI ID:
7105813
Journal Information:
Physical Review, C (Nuclear Physics); (United States), Vol. 45:6; ISSN 0556-2813
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English