Abstract
The production of Al26 in massive stars is sensitive to the Na23(α,p)Mg26 cross section. Recent experimental data suggest the currently recommended cross sections are underestimated by a factor of ∼40. We present here differential cross sections for the Na23(α,p)Mg26 reaction measured in the energy range Ec.m.=1.7-2.5MeV. Concurrent measurements of Rutherford scattering provide absolute normalizations that are independent of variations in target properties. Angular distributions are measured for both p0 and p1 permitting the determination of total cross sections. The results show no significant deviation from the statistical model calculations upon which the recommended rates are based. We therefore retain the previous recommendation without the increase in cross section and resulting stellar reaction rates by a factor of 40, impacting the Al26 yield from massive stars by more than a factor of 3.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 052701 |
| Pages (from-to) | 1-5 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Physical Review Letters |
| Volume | 115 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 29 Jul 2015 |
