The excitation function of the 13C(α, n)16O reaction and its astrophysical application

Neutron-liberating reactions as well as neutron absorbing processes play important parts in the synthesis of elements in a star and in the different phases of its life sequence. Thus the ¹³C(α, n)¹⁶O reaction is of interest for instance in connection with processes such as hydrostatic and explosive burning, as well as in the synthesis of oxygen and other light elements. A good knowledge of the energy dependence of the cross section of the alpha-carbon reaction is evidently of importance. In the present work the neutron yield from a thick ¹³C target was measured for α-particles in the energy range 0.60 to 1.15 MeV with a sensitive 4π neutron detector. Stellar temperatures between 3.5 and 9.2 × 10⁸ K are involved in this energy region. The observed neutron yield curve was used to determine astrophysical cross section factors S(E) as well as parameters for the 1.056 MeV resonance. Starting from these quantities, an expression for the mean lifetime of ¹³C nuclei interacting with helium was derived.     

Delta-isobar configurations in 12C and 16O nuclei

The differential yield of the reaction ¹⁶O(γ, π ⁺ p) at the maximum photon energy of 450 MeV was measured in the region of high momentum transfers to the residual nuclear system. The experimental results obtained for the ¹⁶O nucleus and the cross section measured earlier for the reaction ¹²C(γ, π ⁺ p) were analyzed on the basis of a model that takes into account the admixture of isobar states in the nuclear wave function. The probabilities for the delta-isobar configurations in the ground states of the carbon and oxygen nuclei per nucleon were estimated empirically at 0.012 ± 0.003 ± 0.002 and 0.019 ± 0.003 ± 0.003, respectively.     

KeV astrophysics with GeV beams; blazing a new trail on the summit of Nuclear Astrophysics

GeV beams of light ions and electrons are used for creating a high flux of real and virtual photons, with which some problems in Nuclear Astrophysics are studied. GeV ⁸B beams are used to study the Coulomb dissociation of ⁸B and thus the ⁷Be(p,γ)⁸B reaction. This reaction is one of the major source of uncertainties in estimating the ⁸B solar neutrino flux and a critical input for calculating the ⁸B solar neutrino flux. The Coulomb dissociation of ⁸B appears to provide a viable method for measuring the ⁷Be(p,γ)⁸B reaction rate, with a weighted average of the RIKEN1, RIKEN2, GSI1 and MSU published results of S ₁₇(0)=18.9±1.0 eV-b. This result, however, does not include a theoretical error estimated to be ±10%. GeV electron beams on the other hand, are used to create a high flux of real and virtual photons at TUNL-HIGS and MIT-Bates, respectively, and we discuss two new proposals to study the ¹²C(α,γ)¹⁶O reaction with real and virtual photons. The ¹²C(α,γ)¹⁶O reaction is essential for understanding Type II and Type Ia supernova. It is concluded that virtual and real photons produced by GeV light ions and electron beams are useful for studying some problems in Nuclear Astrophysics.     

Three stage cool flame droplet burning behavior of n-alkane droplets at elevated pressure conditions: Hot,warm and cool flame

Transient, isolated n-alkane droplet combustion is simulated at elevated pressure for helium-diluent substituted-air mixtures. We report the presence of unique quasi-steady, three-stage burning behavior of large sphero-symmetric n-alkane droplets at these elevated pressures and helium substituted ambient fractions. Upon initiation of reaction, hot-flame diffusive burning of large droplets is initiated that radiatively extinguishes to establish cool flame burning conditions in nitrogen/oxygen “air” at atmospheric and elevated pressures. However, at elevated pressure and moderate helium substitution for nitrogen (X_He?>?20%), the initiated cool flame burning proceeds through two distinct, quasi-steady-state, cool flame burning conditions. The classical “Hot flame” (～1500?K) radiatively extinguishes into a “Warm flame” burning mode at a moderate maximum reaction zone temperature (～ 970?K), followed by a transition to a lower temperature (～765?K), quasi-steady “Cool flame” burning condition. The reaction zone (“flame”) temperatures are associated with distinctly different yields in intermediate reaction products within the reaction zones and surrounding near-field, and the flame-standoff ratios characterizing each burning mode progressively decrease. The presence of all three stages first appears with helium substitution near 20%, and the duration of each stage is observed to be strongly dependent on helium substitutions level between 20–60%. For helium substitution greater than 60%, the hot flame extinction is followed by only the lower temperature cool flame burning mode. In addition to the strong coupling between the diffusive loss of both energy and species and the slowly evolving degenerate branching in the low and negative temperature coefficient (NTC) kinetic regimes, the competition between the low-temperature chain branching and intermediate-temperature chain termination reactions control the “Warm” and “Cool” flame quasi-steady conditions and transitioning dynamics. Experiments onboard the International Space Station with n-dodecane droplets confirm the existence of these combustion characteristics and predictions agree favorably with these observations.     

Fusion Reaction of ^16O＋^14N and Its Implication for the Production of ^26Al in Explosive Oxygen Burning

We suggest that the fusion reaction ^16O＋^14N may be a new way to produce ^26Al in interstellar medium. Adopting different mixing modes, we investigate the impact on the production of ^26Al in explosive oxygen burning and find that the result is extremely sensitive to mixing mechanisms. In some cases, we obtain an encouraging result, for example, the greatest final abundance of ^26Al reaches 7.779×10^-6, which means that the explosive oxygen burning may be a new origin of ^26 Al.     

22Ne(a,n)25Mg reaction in CONe mantle of massive stars at high temperatures

The effectiveness of²²Ne (a, n)²⁵Mg reaction as a neutron source is examined at high temperatures 0.8?T ₉?3.0 (T ₉ is the temperature in units of 10⁹ K). An assembly consisting of¹²C,¹⁶O, and²²Ne is considered at the end of helium burning in some massive stars. Alpha particles necessary for this neutron producing reaction are assumed to be due to reactions involving¹²C and¹⁶O nuclei. Assuming²²Ne as the only neutron absorber, the number density of neutrons is calculated. The mantles outside the cores of massive stars are possibly the physical sites for these reactions.     

Hydrogen burning of 24, 25, 26Mg in explosive carbon burning

The absolute resonance strengths of the ^24–26Mg(p, γ)^25–27Al reactions have been studied. The absolute values S_c.m.=1.03 ± 0.11, 2.3 ± 0.2 and 2.2 ± 0.2 eV for the frequently used standard resonances at E_p=823, 434 and 454 keV in the reactions ^24–26Mg(p, γ)^25–27Al, respectively, have been determined. In addition, absolute values for use as standards were determined for the 684 keV ²⁵Mg(p, γ)²⁶Al and 840 and 1966 keV ²⁶Mg(p, γ)²⁷Al resonances. New relative values were determined for the strengths of the if²⁵Mg(p, γ)²⁶Al resonances at ifE_{p = 0.3–1.7 MeV} and the ²⁶Mg(p, γ)²⁷Al resonances at E_p = 0.3–2.1 MeV. The resonance energies and total widths obtained in the present work are also given. The branching ratios and angular distributions of the γ-rays used in the absolute strength determinations were obtained in the same set-up as the absolute strength measurement. Using the revised resonance strengths, the astrophysical reaction rates of hydrogen burning of ^24–26Mg in explosive carbon burning in the stellar temperature region of T = (0.1–5.0) × 10⁹ K are compared with Hauser-Feshbach calculations. The present reaction rates are also discussed in the frame of the MgAl cycle.     

Proton capture by 15N at stellar energies

Excitation functions of the ¹⁵N(p, γ)¹⁶O proton capture reaction have been obtained at θ_γ = 45° and E_p = 150–2500 keV. Below E_p = 400 keV, the reaction is dominated by capture into the ground state of ¹⁶O. The observed excitation function for the latter process can be explained if, in addition to the two well-known J^π = 1^? resonances at E_p = 338 and 1028 keV, a direct radiative capture process (DC → 0) is included in the analysis. The direct capture component in the capture reaction is enhanced through interference effects on the tails of the two resonances. From the observed direct capture cross section, a single-particle spectroscopic factor of C²S(1p) = 1.8 ± 0.4 has been deduced for the ground state in ¹⁶O. The extrapolated astrophysical S-factor of S(0) = 64 ± 6 keV · b for the ¹⁵N(p, γ₀)¹⁶O reaction is a factor of 2.5 larger than previously reported. This result amplifies the role of the oxygen side cycle in the CNO hydrogen burning process.The observed excitation function of the ¹⁵N(p, α₁γ₁)¹²C reaction at E_p = 150 – 2500 keV shows that this reaction makes a negligible contribution to hydrogen burning at stellar energies [S(0) ≈ 0.1 keV · b] compared to ${}^{15}\text{N}\text{(}\text{p}\text{, γ}{}_0\text{)}{}^{16}\text{O and}{}^{15}\text{N}\text{(}\text{p}\text{, α}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>o</mtext>}}\text{)}{}^{12}\text{C}$.     

Adsorption and desorption of oxygen and carbon monoxide on the Si(111) surface studied by ion scattering spectroscopy

The adsorption of O₂ and CO on the Si(111) surface was studied by low-energy helium ion scattering. The adsorption consists of a fast adsorption stage followed by a much slower Sorption process. In the final uptake region CO has a faster rate of increase than O. There is no evidence of He⁺ scattering from C atoms. This fact excludes the CO molecule having its axis parallel to the surface. A comparison of the intensities of the substrate (Si) signals, for the same recorded oxygen content on the surface, shows that carbon monoxide shadows the Si atoms more than oxygen does. An increase in the oxygen signal was observed even after exposures in the range of 10¹⁴–10¹⁵ molecules cm^?2. No substantial diffusion of CO into the bulk can be deduced from these results. Desorption of oxygen by He⁺ ions was observed by following the adsorbate and substrate signals as a function of time. The sputtering cross-section has a maximum for an impact angle of 25° relative to the surface.     

The effect of bulk gas diffusivity on apparent pulverized coal char combustion kinetics

Apparent char kinetic rates are commonly used to predict pulverized coal char burning rates. These kinetic rates quantify the char burning rate based on the temperature of the particle and the oxygen concentration at the external particle surface, inherently neglecting the impact of variations in the internal diffusion rate and penetration of oxygen. To investigate the impact of bulk gas diffusivity on these phenomena during Zone II burning conditions, experimental measurements were performed of char particle combustion temperature and burnout for a subbituminous coal burning in an optical entrained flow reactor with helium and nitrogen diluents. The combination of much higher thermal conductivity and mass diffusivity in the helium environments resulted in cooler char combustion temperatures than in equivalent N₂ environments. Measured char burnout was similar in the two environments for a given bulk oxygen concentration but was approximately 60% higher in helium environments for a given char combustion temperature. To augment the experimental measurements, detailed particle simulations of the experimental conditions were conducted with the SKIPPY code. These simulations also showed a 60% higher burning rate in the helium environments for a given char particle combustion temperature. To differentiate the effect of enhanced diffusion through the external boundary layer from the effect of enhanced diffusion through the particle, additional SKIPPY simulations were conducted under selected conditions in N₂ and He environments for which the temperature and concentrations of reactants (oxygen and steam) were identical on the external char surface. Under these conditions, which yield matching apparent char burning rates, the computed char burning rate for He was 50% larger, demonstrating the potential for significant errors with the apparent kinetics approach. However, for specific application to oxy-fuel combustion in CO₂ environments, these results suggest the error to be as low as 3% when applying apparent char burning rates from nitrogen environments.     

The4He(12C, γ)16O reaction at stellar energies

The capture reaction⁴He(¹²C, γ)¹⁶O (E _c.m.= 1.34–3.38 MeV) as well as the elastic scattering process⁴He(¹²C,¹²C)⁴He (E _c.m.=1.44–3.38 MeV) have been investigated with the use of an intense¹²C beam and a windowless and⁴He recirculating gas target system. The measurements involved two large NaI(T1) crystals in close geometry to an extended gas target, whereby angle-integrated γ-ray yields were obtained. A large area plastic detector was used for the suppression of time-independent background. A search for cascade γ-ray transitions was carried out by coincidence techniques. The measurement of absolute cross sections is also reported. Theoretical fits of the excitation function for the groundstate γ-ray transition requireE1 as well asE2 capture amplitudes, which are of equal importance at stellar energies. This result increases significantly the stellar burning rate of⁴He(¹²C, γ)¹⁶O and leads to¹⁶O as the dominant product at the end of helium burning in massive stars. The observed capture yield to the 6.92 MeV state is dominated by the direct capture mechanism and plays a small role at stellar energies.     

Photoprotonen aus Kohlenstoff,Stickstoff, Sauerstoff und Neon

The energy spectra of photoprotons from carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and neon were investigated with 30·5 MeV bremsstrahlung of the Heidelberg betatron using a CsI(Tl)-spectrometer. The known resonances could be confirmed, new resonances are found in nitrogen. Yields and cross sections relative to those of the reaction C¹²(γ, n)C¹¹ are given.     

Large charge exchange corrections to direct photonuclear processes

The two-step charge exchange contribution from the process ¹⁶O(γ,p)¹⁵N(p,n)¹⁵O is calculated for the photonuclear reaction ¹⁶O(γ,n)¹⁵O. The total cross section, computed as a function of energy, is compared to the conventional, one-step direct cross section for Both E1 and E2 transitions. For each transition the two-step correction to the cross section is found to be sizable, approximately 50% of the one-step cross section.     

Corroding the chromium cation

Two [Cr,O₂]⁺ isomers have been selectively produced and studied by FT-ICR mass spectrometry. The Cr(O₂)⁺ complex was formed by supersonically expanding a plasma produced by laser vaporization of chromium metal with the helium carrier gas, which was seeded with traces of oxygen, while the chromyl cation is formed in an expansion with N₂O. The complex is stable against thermal collisions, but in a bimolecular reaction with water it is rapidly converted to the chromyl cation, with ligand exchange being only a minor side reaction. Isotopic studies suggest a side-on geometry for Cr(O₂)⁺, in accordance with density functional (B3LYP) calculations. The present work indicates that an investigation of the selected isomers can indeed be carried out, if appropriate chemical methods for the ion generation are applied.     

New data on the ternary fission of 252Cf from the Gammasphere facility

Ternary fission of ²⁵²Cf was studied at Gammasphere using eight ΔE×E particle telescopes. Helium, beryllium, boron, and carbon light charged particles (LCPs) emitted with kinetic energy more than 9, 21, 26, and 32 MeV, respectively, were identified. The 3368-keV γ transition from the first 2⁺ excited state in ¹⁰Be was found and the population probability ratio N(2⁺)/N(0⁺) = 0.160 ± 0.025 was estimated. No evidence was found for 3368-keV γ rays emitted from a triple molecular state. For the first time, charge distributions are obtained for ternary fission fragments emitted with helium, beryllium, and carbon LCPs.     

Cross sections of the reactions16O(γ,x)13 N and16O (γ,x)11 C,and Yield of12C (γ, t) up to 55 MeV

Yield curves of the reactions¹⁶O (γ, x)¹¹C,¹⁶O (γ, x)¹³N and¹²C(γ, t) have been measured relative to¹²C(γ, n)¹¹C with bremsstrahlung. The cross section σ[¹⁶O(γ, x)¹¹C] has a shape similar to σ[¹⁶O(γ, t)] and shows a broad maximum near 38 MeV. Differences between σ[¹⁶O(γ, x)¹³ N] and σ[¹⁶O(γ, t)] point to a reaction mechanism via quadrupole absorption in¹⁶O. The yield of¹²C(γ, t) exceeds the¹⁶O(γ,t) yield by a factor of two.     

Properties of carbon-based structures synthesized in nuclear reactions induced by bremsstrahlung γ quanta with threshold energy of 10 MeV at helium pressure of 1.1 kbar

Helium gas with an initial pressure of about 1.1 kbar inside a high-pressure chamber (HeHPC) has been irradiated by bremsstrahlung γ quanta with a threshold energy of 10 MeV for 1.0 × 10⁵ s produced by an electron-beam current of 22–24 μA. After opening the HeHPC, the residual pressure of helium is equal to 430 bar. Synthesized black foils with a variety of other objects are found inside the HeHPC. They are located on the inner surfaces of the reaction chamber made of high-purity copper (99.99%), the entrance the window of γ quanta made of beryllium bronze and a copper container of nuclear and chemical reaction products. Elemental analysis with the use of scanning electron microscopy and X-ray microprobe analysis has revealed that the foils contain predominantly carbon and small quantities of other elements from carbon to iron. The results are in good agreement with the cycle of investigations of the authors devoted to the γ-quanta irradiation of dense hydrogen and helium gases in the presence (absence) of metals in a reaction chamber.     

Photon-induced two-nucleon knockout reactions to discrete final states

Cross sections and photon asymmetries of the ¹⁶O(γ, pn)¹⁴N and ¹⁶O(γ, pp)¹⁴C knockout reactions are calculated for transitions to the low-lying discrete final states of the residual nucleus in the photon-energy range between 100 and 400 MeV. Exclusive reactions may represent a test of reaction mechanisms and a promising tool for investigating the dynamics of nucleon pairs in different states. Cross sections and asymmetries for both (γ,pn) and (γ,pp) turn out to be only slightly affected by short-range correlations and dominated by two-body currents. Therefore, two-nucleon knockout reactions induced by real photons appear well suited to investigate the nuclear current and the selectivity of individual transitions to its different components.     

Single electron detachment of carbon group and oxygen group elements incident on helium

The absolute single electron detachment (SED) cross sections of carbon group elements C⁻, Si⁻, Ge⁻ in the energy range of 0.05–0.29 a.u. (5 keV–30 keV) and oxygen group elements O⁻ and S⁻ 0.08–0.27 a.u. (5 keV–30 keV), incident on helium are measured with growth rate method. In our energy region, the SED cross sections of C⁻, Si⁻, S⁻ and Ge⁻ increase with the projectiles velocity, at the same time, O⁻ cross sections reach a conspicuous maximum at 0.18 a.u. Some abnormal behavior occurs in measurement of SED cross sections for the oxygen group collision with helium. Our results have been compared with a previous work.