arXiv subjects

A. Coc

Publications and source records attributed to A. Coc.

32 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2003

Updated Big Bang Nucleosynthesis confronted to WMAP observations and to the Abundance of Light Elements

We improve Standard Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (SBBN) calculations taking into account new nuclear physics analyses (Descouvemont et al. 2003). Using a Monte-Carlo technique, we calculate the abundances of light nuclei versus the baryon to photon ratio.The results concerning omegab are compared to relevant astrophysical and cosmological observations. Consistency between WMAP, SBBN results and D/H data strengthens the deduced baryon density and has interesting consequences on cosmic chemical evolution. A significant discrepancy between the calculated Li-7 deduced from WMAP and the Spite plateau is clearly revealed. To explain this discrepancy three possibilities are invoked : uncertainties on the Li abundance, surface alteration of Li in the course of stellar evolution or poor knowledge of the reaction rates related to Be-7 destruction. In particular, the possible role of the up to now neglected Be-7(d,p)2He-4 and Be-7(d,alpha)Li5 reactions is considered. The impressive advances in CMB observations provide a strong motivation for more efforts in experimental nuclear physics and high quality spectroscopy to keep BBN in pace.

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arXiv2003

Cross sections relevant to gamma-ray line emission in solar flares: $^3$He-induced reactions on $^{16}$O nuclei

Gamma-ray production cross sections have been measured for gamma-ray lines copiously emitted in the $^3$He bombardment of $^{16}$O nuclei: the 937, 1042 and 1081 keV lines of $^{18}$F and the 1887 keV line of $^{18}$Ne. Four Ge detectors with BGO shielding for Compton suppression were used to measure the angular distributions of the gamma-rays. The excitation functions have been obtained for $^3$He bombarding energies from 3.7 to 36 MeV. Total cross sections are tabulated for calculations relevant to gamma-ray astronomy. The importance of these lines as diagnosis for the presence and properties of accelerated $^3$He in solar flares is discussed in light of the measured cross sections.

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arXiv2003

D(18F,pa)15N reaction applied to nova gamma-ray emission

The 18F(p,alpha)15O reaction is recognized to be one of the most important reactions for nova gamma-ray astronomy as it governs the early E <= 511keV gamma emission. However in the nova temperature regime, its rate remains largely uncertain due to unknown low-energy resonance strengths. We report here the measurement of the D(18F,p)19F(alpha)15N one-nucleon transfer reaction, induced by a 14 MeV 18F radioactive beam impinging on a CD2 target; outgoing protons and 15N (or alpha-particles) were detected in coincidence in two silicon strip detectors. A DWBA analysis of the data resulted in new limits to the contribution of low-energy resonances to the rate of the 18F(p,alpha)15O reaction.

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arXiv2002

Study of the ^18F(p, alpha)^15O reaction for application to nova gamma-ray emission

The ^18F(p, alpha)^15O reaction is recognized as one of the most important reaction for nova gamma-ray astronomy as it governs the early =< 511 keV emission. However, its rate remains largely uncertain at nova temperatures due to unknown low-energy resonance strengths. In order to better constrain this reaction rate, we have studied the one-nucleon transfer reaction, D(^18F,p alpha)^15N, at the CRC-RIB facility at Louvain La Neuve.

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arXiv2002

A new experiment for the determination of the 18F(p,alpha) reaction rate at nova temperatures

The 18F(p,alpha) reaction was recognized as one of the most important for gamma ray astronomy in novae as it governs the early 511 keV emission. However, its rate remains largely uncertain at nova temperatures. A direct measurement of the cross section over the full range of nova energies is impossible because of its vanishing value at low energy and of the short 18F lifetime. Therefore, in order to better constrain this reaction rate, we have performed an indirect experiment taking advantage of the availability of a high purity and intense radioactive 18F beam at the Louvain La Neuve RIB facility. We present here the first results of the data analysis and discuss the consequences.

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arXiv2001

Prospects for detectability of classical novae with INTEGRAL

Classical novae are potential gamma-ray emitters, both in lines and in a continuum. Continuum emission (at energies between 20-30 and 511 keV) and line emission at 511 keV are related to positron annihilation and its Comptonization in the expanding shell; 18F is the main responsible of positron production. The lines at 478 and 1275 keV have their origin in the decay of the radioactive nuclei 7Be and 22Na. Updated models of nova explosions have been adopted for the computation of the gamma-ray emission. New yields of some radioactive isotopes directly translate into new detectability distances of classical novae with INTEGRAL.

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arXiv2001

Low energy measurement of the 7Be(p,gamma)8B cross section

We have measured the cross section of the 7Be(p,gamma)8B reaction for E_cm = 185.8 keV, 134.7 keV and 111.7 keV using a radioactive 7Be target (132 mCi). Single and coincidence spectra of beta^+ and alpha particles from 8B and 8Be^* decay, respectively, were measured using a large acceptance spectrometer. The zero energy S factor inferred from these data is 18.5 +/- 2.4 eV b and a weighted mean value of 18.8 +/- 1.7 eV b (theoretical uncertainty included) is deduced when combining this value with our previous results at higher energies.

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arXiv2001

Nucleosynthesis in classical novae

A general review of the relevance of classical novae for the chemical evolution of the Galaxy, as well as for Galactic radioactivity is presented. A special emphasis is put on the pioneering work done by Jim Truran in this field of research. The impact of recent developments in nuclear astrophysics on nova nucleosynthesis, together with the prospects for observability of novae radioactivities with the INTEGRAL satellite are discussed.

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arXiv1999

Lifetimes of 26Al and 34Cl in an astrophysical plasma

We study here the onset of thermal equilibrium affecting the lifetimes of 26Al and 34Cl nuclei within a hot astrophysical photon gas. The 26Al isotope is of prime interest for gamma ray astronomy with the observation of its delayed (t_1\2=0.74 My) 1.809MeV gamma-ray line. Its nucleosynthesis is complicated by the presence of a short lived (t_1\2=6.34s) spin isomer. A similar configuration is found in 34Cl where the decay of its isomer (34mCl, t_1\2=32m) is followed by delayed gamma-ray emission with characteristic energies. The lifetimes of such nuclei are reduced at high temperature by the thermal population of shorter lived levels. However, thermal equilibrium within 26Al and 34Cl levels is delayed by the presence of the isomer. We study here the transition to thermal equilibrium where branching ratios for radiative transitions are needed in order to calculate lifetimes. Since some of these very small branching ratios are not known experimentally, we use results of shell model calculations.

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arXiv1999

Gamma-ray emission from novae related to positron annihilation: constraints on its observability posed by new experimental nuclear data

Classical novae emit gamma-ray radiation at 511 keV and below, with a cut-off at around (20-30) keV, related to positron annihilation and its Comptonization in the expanding envelope. This emission has been elusive up to now, because it occurs at epochs well before the maximum in optical luminosity, but it could be detected by some sensitive intrument on board a satellite, provided that the nova is close enough and that it is observed at the right moment. The detection of this emission, which is a challenge for the now available and for the future gamma-ray instruments, would shed light into the physical processes occurring in the early phases of the explosion, which are invisible in other lower energy ranges. A good prediction of the emitted fluxes and of the corresponding detectability distances with different instruments relies critically on a good knowledge of reaction rates relevant to f18 destruction, which have been subject to a strong revision after recent nuclear spectroscopy measurements. With respect to previous results, smaller ejected masses of f18 are predicted, leading to smaller emitted fluxes in the (20-511) keV range and shorter detectability distances.

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arXiv1998

Gamma-ray emission of classical novae and its detectability by INTEGRAL

A lot of information concerning the mechanism of nova explosions will be extracted from the possible future observations with INTEGRAL. In order to be prepared for this task, we are performing detailed models of the gamma-ray emission of classical novae, for a wide range of possible initial conditions. Spectra at different epochs after the explosion and light curves for the different lines (511, 478 and 1275 keV) and the continuum are presented, as well as the detectability distances with INTEGRAL spectrometer SPI. New results related to 18F synthesis related to very recent data of nuclear physics are advanced as preliminary.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1997

New measurement and analysis of the 7Be(p,gamma)8B cross section

Cross sections for the 7Be(p,gamma)8B reaction have been measured for E_c.m.= 0.35-1.4 MeV using radioactive 7Be targets. Two independent measurements carried out with different beam conditions, different targets and detectors are in excellent agreement. A statistical comparison of these measurements with previous results leads to a restricted set of consistent data. The deduced zero-energy S-factor S(0) is found to be 15-20% smaller than the previously recommended value. This implies a 8B solar neutrino flux lower than previously predicted in various standard solar models.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv1997

Comparison of low--energy resonances in 15N(alpha,gamma)19F and 15O(alpha,gamma)19Ne and related uncertainties

A disagreement between two determinations of Gamma_alpha of the astro- physically relevant level at E_x=4.378 MeV in 19F has been stated in two recent papers by Wilmes et al. and de Oliveira et al. In this work the uncertainties of both papers are discussed in detail, and we adopt the value Gamma_alpha=(1.5^{+1.5}_{-0.8})10^-9eV for the 4.378 MeV state. In addition, the validity and the uncertainties of the usual approximations for mirror nuclei Gamma_gamma(19F) approx Gamma_gamma(19Ne), theta^2_alpha(19F) approx theta^2_alpha(19Ne) are discussed, together with the resulting uncertainties on the resonance strengths in 19Ne and on the 15O(alpha,gamma)19Ne rate.

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arXiv1996

On the ^7 Li and ^7 Be synthesis in novae

The production of ^7 Li and ^7 Be during the explosive hydrogen-burning that occurs in nova explosions is computed by means of a hydrodynamic code able to treat both the accretion and the explosion stages. Large overproduction factors with respect to solar abundances are obtained, the exact value depending mainly on the chemical composition of the envelope. Although the final ejected masses are small, these results indicate that novae can contribute to the ^7 Li enrichment of the interstellar medium. Furthermore, since ^7 Be decays emiting a gamma-ray (478 KeV), with a half-life of 53.3 days, the synthesis of ^7 Li could be tested during the INTEGRAL mission.

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