Constraining the 12C+12C fusion cross section for astrophysics

The 12 C+12 C reaction is one of the single most important nuclear reactions in astrophysics. It strongly influences late evolution of massive stars as well as the dynamics of type Ia supernovae and x-ray superbursts. An accurate estimation of the cross section at relevant astrophysical energies is extremely important for modeling these systems. However, the situation is complicated by the unpredictable resonance structure observed at higher energies. Two recent studies at Notre Dame have produced results which help reduce the uncertainty associated with this reaction. The first uses correlations with the isotope fusion systems, 12 C+13 C and 13 C+13 C, to establish an upper limit on the resonance strengths in 12 C+12 C. The other focuses on the specific channel 12 C+12 C→23 Mg+n and its low-energy measurement and extrapolation which is relevant to s-process nucleosynthesis. The results from each provide important constraints for astrophysical models.

[1]  B. Back,et al.  Origin and consequences of 12C+12C fusion resonances at deep sub-barrier energies. , 2013, Physical review letters.

[2]  K. Kratz,et al.  A 3He neutron detector for the measurement of (α,n) reactions , 2013 .

[3]  A. D. Ayangeakaa,et al.  Searching for the low-energy resonances in the 12C(12C,n)23Mg reaction cross section relevant for s-process nucleosynthesis , 2013 .

[4]  Chris L. Fryer,et al.  THE 12C + 12C REACTION AND THE IMPACT ON NUCLEOSYNTHESIS IN MASSIVE STARS , 2012, 1212.3962.

[5]  C. Cahillane,et al.  Recent results from the carbon fusion project at Notre Dame , 2012 .

[6]  E. Brown,et al.  Correlation between the 12C+12C, 12C+13C, and 13C+13C fusion cross sections , 2012 .

[7]  H. Esbensen,et al.  Effects of Mutual Excitations in the Fusion of Carbon Isotopes , 2011, 1112.0496.

[8]  C. J. Lin,et al.  Upper Limit on the molecular resonance strengths in the 12C+ 12C fusion reaction , 2011, 1109.6078.

[9]  A. Chieffi,et al.  THE EFFECTS OF THERMONUCLEAR REACTION RATE VARIATIONS ON 26Al PRODUCTION IN MASSIVE STARS: A SENSITIVITY STUDY , 2011, 1101.5553.

[10]  Roberto Gallino,et al.  THE WEAK s-PROCESS IN MASSIVE STARS AND ITS DEPENDENCE ON THE NEUTRON CAPTURE CROSS SECTIONS , 2010 .

[11]  E. Brown,et al.  POSSIBLE RESONANCES IN THE 12C + 12C FUSION RATE AND SUPERBURST IGNITION , 2009, 0903.3994.

[12]  G. Weidenspointner,et al.  SPI observations of the diffuse ^60Fe emission in the Galaxy , 2007, 0704.3895.

[13]  S. Zeng,et al.  12C+12C fusion reactions near the Gamow energy. , 2007, Physical review letters.

[14]  E. F. Aguilera,et al.  Absolute cross sections measurement for the 12C + 12C system at astrophysically relevant energies , 2006 .

[15]  T. L. Belyaeva,et al.  New γ-ray measurements forC12+C12sub-Coulomb fusion: Toward data unification , 2006 .

[16]  A. Chieffi,et al.  The Nucleosynthesis of 26Al and 60Fe in Solar Metallicity Stars Extending in Mass from 11 to 120 M☉: The Hydrostatic and Explosive Contributions , 2006, astro-ph/0604297.

[17]  Andrew Cumming,et al.  Carbon Flashes in the Heavy-Element Ocean on Accreting Neutron Stars , 2001, astro-ph/0107213.

[18]  W. Hillebrandt,et al.  Type IA Supernova Explosion Models , 2000, astro-ph/0006305.

[19]  W. Fowler,et al.  Thermonuclear reaction rates V , 1988 .

[20]  S. Trentalange,et al.  Elastic scattering and fusion cross sections of 13C+13C , 1988 .

[21]  H. Becker,et al.  The12C+12C reaction at subcoulomb energies (II) , 1981 .

[22]  S. Woosley,et al.  Neutron branching in the reaction 12C + 12C , 1977 .

[23]  R. Stokstad,et al.  Gamma-ray yields from 12C + 13C reactions near and below the coulomb barrier , 1976 .

[24]  J. Patterson,et al.  Experimental Investigation of the Stellar Nuclear Reaction ^{12}C + ^{12}C at Low Energies , 1969 .

[25]  D. Bromley,et al.  Resonances in C 12 on Carbon Reactions , 1960 .

[26]  D. Bromley,et al.  Resonant Elastic Scattering of C-12 by Carbon , 1960 .