C. Dembski | Searcharxiv

arXiv2026

Neutron dynamics in the fusion of neutron-rich O ions with $^{12}$C

The fusion excitation function for $^{21}$O + $^{12}$C was measured for the first time and compared to the fusion of less neutron-rich isotopes. The impact of valence neutrons in the d$_{5/2}$ shell on the fusion excitation function is examined. The experimental data manifest a clear dependence of the extracted barrier height, V$_B$, and barrier position, R$_B$ on neutron excess. To assess the role of dynamics the experimental data are compared with both density constrained frozen Hartree Fock (DCFHF) and density constrained time-dependent Hartree Fock (DCTDHF) theories.

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arXiv2025

Constraining the Synthesis of the Lightest p Nucleus 74Se

We provide the first experimental cross section of the $^{73}\text{As}(p,\gamma)^{74}\text{Se}$ reaction to constrain one of the main destruction mechanisms of the p nucleus $^{74}\text{Se}$ in explosive stellar environments. The measurement was done using a radioactive $^{73}\text{As}$ beam at effective center-of-mass energies of 2.9 and 2.3 MeV/nucleon. Along with the total cross-section measurement, statistical properties of the $^{74}\text{Se}$ compound nucleus were extracted, constraining the reaction cross section in the upper Gamow window of the $\gamma$ process. The impact of the experimentally constrained reaction rate on $^{74}\text{Se}$ production in Type II supernovae was investigated through Monte Carlo one-zone network simulations. The results indicate that the overproduction of $^{74}$Se by Type II supernova models cannot be resolved by nuclear physics alone and point toward the need for a more detailed understanding of the astrophysical conditions of relevance for the $\gamma$ process.

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