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First Direct Measurement of the O17(p,γ)F18 Reaction Cross Section at Gamow Energies for Classical Novae

D. A. Scott et al. (LUNA Collaboration)
Phys. Rev. Lett. 109, 202501 – Published 13 November 2012

Abstract

Classical novae are important contributors to the abundances of key isotopes, such as the radioactive F18, whose observation by satellite missions could provide constraints on nucleosynthesis models in novae. The O17(p,γ)F18 reaction plays a critical role in the synthesis of both oxygen and fluorine isotopes, but its reaction rate is not well determined because of the lack of experimental data at energies relevant to novae explosions. In this study, the reaction cross section has been measured directly for the first time in a wide energy range Ec.m.200370keV appropriate to hydrogen burning in classical novae. In addition, the Ec.m.=183keV resonance strength, ωγ=1.67±0.12μeV, has been measured with the highest precision to date. The uncertainty on the O17(p,γ)F18 reaction rate has been reduced by a factor of 4, thus leading to firmer constraints on accurate models of novae nucleosynthesis.

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  • Received 14 September 2012

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.109.202501

© 2012 American Physical Society

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Vol. 109, Iss. 20 — 16 November 2012

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