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Title: Cross-section measurement of the 18F(alpha,p)21Ne reaction and possible implication for neutron production in explosive helium burning

Journal Article · · Physical Review C
OSTI ID:972063

At the high temperature and density conditions of hot or explosive helium burning, the {sup 18}F({alpha},p){sup 21}Ne reaction may compete successfully wilh the {sup 18}F({beta}{sup +}{nu}) decay. This suggesls {sup 21}Ne({alpha},n) as an alternative neutron source in Ihe r-process. We have determined the total cross section of the {sup 18}F({alpha},p){sup 21}Ne reaction by studying the time-reverse reaction {sup 21}Ne(p,{alpha}){sup 18}F. Using the activation technique, the total reaction yield was measured in the proton beam energy range of 2.3-4.0 MeV, which corresponds to energies of 0.5-2.1 MeV in the {sup 18}F + {alpha} system. The resulting yield curve was analyzed in terms of the thick target formalism and the R-matrix theory. The reaction rate was deduced experimentally for the first time for the temperature of 0.1 < T{sub 9} < I. The experimemal reaction rate was compared with Hauser-Feshbach predictions. The astrophysical implications of the new rate are discussed.

Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC52-06NA25396
OSTI ID:
972063
Report Number(s):
LA-UR-09-06570; LA-UR-09-6570; TRN: US1001459
Journal Information:
Physical Review C, Journal Name: Physical Review C
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English