arXiv · 2510.04597
The challenging first direct measurement of the 65 keV resonance strength in the $^{17}$O(p,$\gamma$)$^{18}$F reaction at LUNA
Abstract
A precise determination of the proton capture rates on oxygen is mandatory to predict the abundance ratios of oxygen isotopes in a stellar environment where the hydrogen burning is active. The 17O(p,{\gamma})18F reaction, in particular, plays a crucial role in AGB nucleosynthesis as well as in explosive hydrogen burning occurring in novae and type I supernovae. At the temperature of interest for the former scenario (from 20 MK to 80 MK) the main contribution to the astrophysical reaction rate comes from the Er = 64.5 keV resonance. The strength of this resonance is presently determined only through indirect measurements, with an adopted value {\omega}{\gamma} = 16(3) peV. A new high sensitivity setup has been installed at LUNA, located at Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso. The underground location of LUNA 400kV guarantees a reduction of the cosmic ray background by several orders of magnitude. The residual background was further reduced by a dedicated shielding. On the other hand the 4{\pi}BGO detector efficiency was optimized installing an aluminum target chamber and holder. With about 400 C accumulated on Ta2O5 targets, highly enriched in 17O, the LUNA collaboration has performed the first ever direct measurement of the 64.5 keV resonance strength.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
D. Piatti, LUNA Collaboration. 2025-10-06. The challenging first direct measurement of the 65 keV resonance strength in the $^{17}$O(p,$\gamma$)$^{18}$F reaction at LUNA. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nuclphysa.2025.123099
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.