Speaker
Description
Nuclear physics inputs for rare isotopes remain one of the major sources of uncertainty in model predictions for astrophysical observables such as X-ray burst light curves, elemental abundance patterns, and stellar evolution. In particular, reaction rates involving short-lived nuclei and the resonance properties that govern them play an important role in explosive hydrogen and helium burning, breakout from the hot CNO cycle, and heavy-element nucleosynthesis. However, experimental information is still limited for many key reactions and states of astrophysical interest.
To address these questions, a broad experimental program in nuclear astrophysics has been pursued at the Center for Exotic Nuclear Studies (CENS) based on both direct and indirect approaches. Recent efforts include direct studies of astrophysically important ($\alpha$,$p$) reactions with active-target techniques, resonance and scattering studies relevant to reaction-rate constraints and nuclear structure, and detector developments for experiments with rare-isotope beams.
Representative topics include studies related to $^{14}\mathrm{O}(\alpha,p)^{17}\mathrm{F}$, $^{17}\mathrm{F}(\alpha,p)^{20}\mathrm{Ne}$ and $^{34}\mathrm{Ar}(\alpha,p)^{37}\mathrm{K}$, proton upscattering of the Hoyle state, optical-model-potential studies near the Coulomb barrier, and the development of the AToM-X active-target TPC. These activities are also establishing a practical path toward a sustained rare-isotope-beam nuclear astrophysics program at RAON.
Recent progress in direct reaction and resonance studies for nuclear astrophysics at CENS, selected research highlights, and future opportunities at RAON and other facilities will be presented.
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