The O-14(alpha,p)F-17 reaction rate

Abstract

The O-14(alpha,p)F-17 reaction is an important part of the hot CNO cycle. We have measured cross sections for the F-17(pp)F-17(gs), F-17(p,p(1))F-17(495)*, and F-17(p,alpha)O-14 reactions in inverse kinematics using radioactive F-17 beams from the Holifield Radioactive Ion Beam Facility. The properties of states in Ne-18, including those important for the O-14(alpha,p)F-17 reaction rate, were determined from an R-matrix analysis of the measured cross sections. An improved O-14(alpha,p)F-17 reaction rate has been determined. The hot CNO cycle of reactions is important in explosive astrophysical environments such as novae and X-ray bursts. In this cycle, proton captures by C-12 and N-13 in succession lead to the production of O-14. Destruction of O-14 occurs by O-14(beta(+))N-14 and by the O-14 (alpha,p)F-17 reaction. The slow rate of this reaction can limit energy generation and result in substantial abundances of the O-14 isotope in novae [1] and X-ray bursts [2].