Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Reaction”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 91 records · Page 5
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2012

26 Al + p elastic and inelastic scattering reactions and galactic abundances of 26 Al

Galactic 26 Al is the first radioactive nucleus to be positively identified by -ray astronomy with detection of the 1.809 MeV ray associated with its decay. This nucleus is destroyed in astrophysical environments in the 26 Al(p, ) 27 Si and inelastic 26 Al+p scattering reactions where properties of 27 Si levels determine reaction rates. To investigate these properties, elastic and inelastic 26Al+p scattering reactions were measured between E c.m. = 0.5 1.5 MeV at the Holifield Radioactive Ion Beam Facility (HRIBF) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). A candidate for a new resonance in the 26Al(p, )27Si reaction was identified. Upper limits were also set on the strengths of postulated resonances and on the cross section of the inelastic reaction, but there is little effect on current reaction rate calculations.

Pittman, S. T.↗
DOE OSTI2014

Chemical characterization of SOA formed from aqueous-phase reactions of phenols with the triplet excited state of carbonyl and hydroxyl radical

Phenolic compounds, which are emitted in significant amounts from biomass burning, can undergo fast reactions in atmospheric aqueous phases to form secondary organic aerosol (aqSOA). In this study, we investigate the reactions of phenol (compound with formula C 6 H 5 OH)), guaiacol (2-methoxyphenol), and syringol (2,6-dimethoxyphenol) with two major aqueous-phase oxidants – the triplet excited states of an aromatic carbonyl ( 3 C * ) and hydroxyl radical (· OH). We thoroughly characterize the low-volatility species produced from these reactions and interpret their formation mechanisms using aerosol mass spectrometry (AMS), nanospray desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (nano-DESI MS), and ion chromatography (IC). A large number of oxygenated molecules are identified, including oligomers containing up to six monomer units, functionalized monomer and oligomers with carbonyl, carboxyl, and hydroxyl groups, and small organic acid anions (e.g., formate, acetate, oxalate, and malate). The average atomic oxygen-to-carbon (O / C) ratios of phenolic aqSOA are in the range of 0.85–1.23, similar to those of low-volatility oxygenated organic aerosol (LV-OOA) observed in ambient air. The aqSOA compositions are overall similar for the same precursor, but the reactions mediated by 3 C * are faster than · OH-mediated reactions and produce more oligomers and hydroxylated species at the point when 50% of the phenolic compound has reacted. Profiles determined using a thermodenuder indicate that the volatility of phenolic aqSOA is influenced by both oligomer content and O / C ratio. In addition, the aqSOA shows enhanced light absorption in the UV–visible region, suggesting that aqueous-phase reactions of phenols may contribute to formation of secondary brown carbon in the atmosphere, especially in regions influenced by biomass burning.

Yu, L.↗
DOE OSTI2017

On the mechanism of effective chemical reactions with turbulent mixing of reactants and finite rate of molecular reactions

A generalization of the theory of chemical transformation processes under turbulent mixing of reactants and arbitrary values of the rate of molecular reactions is presented that was previously developed for the variant of an instantaneous reaction [13]. The use of the features of instantaneous reactions when considering the general case, namely, the introduction of the concept of effective reaction for the reactant volumes and writing a closing conservation equation for these volumes, became possible due to the partition of the whole amount of reactants into “active” and “passive” classes; the reactants of the first class are not mixed and react by the mechanism of instantaneous reactions, while the reactants of the second class approach each other only through molecular diffusion, and therefore their contribution to the reaction process can be neglected. The physical mechanism of reaction for the limit regime of an ideal mixing reactor (IMR) is revealed and described. Although formally the reaction rate in this regime depends on the concentration of passive fractions of the reactants, according to the theory presented, the true (hidden) mechanism of the reaction is associated only with the reaction of the active fractions of the reactants with vanishingly small concentration in the volume of the reactor. It is shown that the rate constant of fast chemical reactions can be evaluated when the mixing intensity of reactants is much less than that needed to reach the mixing conditions in an IMR.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2011

Equilibrium and pre-equilibrium processes in the {sup 55}Mn({sup 6}Li,xp) and {sup 57}Fe({alpha},xp) reactions

Spectra of outgoing neutrons and protons from the {sup 6}Li + {sup 55}Mn reaction and protons from the {alpha} + {sup 57}Fe reaction have been measured with beams of 15-MeV {sup 6}Li ions and 30-MeV {alpha} particles. These reactions proceed through the same {sup 61}Ni nucleus at the same excitation energy, thus allowing the difference in reaction mechanisms to be studied. It is shown that spectra from the first reaction measured at backward angles are due to emission from a traditional compound nucleus reaction, in which the intermediate nucleus has reached statistical equilibrium; the spectra from the second reaction contain a significant fraction of pre-equilibrium emission at all angles. Level density parameters of the residual nucleus {sup 60}Co have been obtained from the first reaction. Both emission spectra and angular distributions have been measured for the second reaction. It was found that the pre-equilibrium component exhibits a forward-peaked angular distribution, as expected, but with a steeper slope than predicted and with an unusual slight rise at angles above 120 deg. The backward-angle rise is explained qualitatively by the dominance of the multistep compound mechanism at backward angles.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Reaction pathway analysis of (Ag x Cu 1-x )(In 0.75 Ga 0.25 )Se 2 with x = 0.75 and 1.0

Reaction pathways during formation of Ag(In 0.75 Ga 0.25 )Se 2 films were investigated by ex-situ characterization of time-progressive reactions using rapid thermal processing at 450 °C under 5% Ar/H 2 Se atmosphere. Composition measurements using energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) show that with Ag/(Ag+Cu) = 1.0, Ga grading and Se uptake occur gradually up to 20 min. With 7 min reaction, there was no sign of a AgInSe 2 phase and only a Ag(In,Ga) 5 Se 8 chalcogenide phase formed. The reaction was completed with formation of Ag(In,Ga)Se 2 and Ag(In,Ga) 5 Se 8 within 20 min. The addition of Cu to the precursor so that Ag/(Ag+Cu) = 0.75 speeds up the reaction and reduces the formation of the Ag(In,Ga) 5 Se 8 phase. EDS and XRF analyses indicated that Ga grading and Se uptake were completed after 10 min. XRD analysis also shows formation of CuInSe 2 on the surface of the sample with Cu after 3.5 min reaction prior to other chalcogenide formation. On the other hand, a strong Ag(In,Ga)Se 2 (112) XRD peak appeared after 5 min reaction compared to 10 min reaction for 100% Ag films. EDS and Raman scattering measurements on the back-side of the films after delamination from the substrate indicated that Ga accumulated in AgGaSe 2 and Ga-Se phases at the back-side of films after 45 min reaction. XRD analysis showed that Ag tends to stay in the stable ζ-Ag 3 (In,Ga) phase during the reaction with Ag/(Ag+Cu) = 1.0, but not with 0.75, and this causes the longer reaction time and the non-uniformity.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2011

A quantum reaction dynamics study of the translational, vibrational, and rotational motion effects on the HD +H{sub 3}{sup +} reaction

Time-dependent, quantum reaction dynamics wavepacket approach is employed to investigate the impacts of the translational, vibrational, and rotational motion on the HD+H{sub 3}{sup +}{yields} H{sub 2}D{sup +}+ H{sub 2} reaction using the Xie-Braams-Bowman potential energy surface [Z. Xie, B. J. Braams, and J. M. Bowman, J. Chem. Phys. 122, 224307 (2005)]. We treat this five atom reaction with a seven-degree-of-freedom model by fixing one Jacobi and one torsion angle related to H{sub 3}{sup +} at the lowest saddle point geometry of the potential energy surface. The initial state selected reaction probabilities show that the rotational excitations of H{sup +}-H{sub 2} greatly enhance the reactivity with the reaction probabilities increased double at high rotational states compared to the ground state. However, the vibrational excitations of H{sub 3}{sup +} hinder the reactivity. The ground state reaction probability shows no reaction threshold for this exoergic reaction, and as the translational energy increases, the reaction probability decreases. Furthermore, reactive resonances and zero point energy play very important roles on the reaction dynamics. The obtained integral cross section has the character of an exoergic reaction without a threshold: it decreases with the translational energy increasing. The calculated thermal rate constants using this seven-degree-of-freedom model are in agreement with a later experiment measurement.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2011

An Improved Reaction Rate Formulation for Charged-Particle Induced Thermonuclear Reaction of {sup 2}H(d,{gamma}){sup 4}He

The reaction rate formula utilized in compilations such as the Nuclear Astrophysics Compilation of Reaction Rates (NACRE) uses low energy approximation due to temperatures in stars are in the region of a few keVs. Most nuclear reaction experiments were done in MeV range and the interior temperatures of massive stars are {approx}10{sup 9} K. Hence an improved formulation for calculating the nuclear reaction rate that is applicable to high temperatures is discussed in this work. The exact tunneling probability that is applicable for all energies is obtained by solving the Schroedinger equation. This yields an enhanced expression for the astrophysical S-factor for calculating the thermonuclear reaction rate at high temperature. The thermonuclear reaction rate from this work is applied to the {sup 2}H(d,{gamma}){sup 4}He reaction and is compared with the NACRE compilation. This improved reaction rate can be included in the nuclear reaction network in a Big Bang nucleosynthesis (BBN) code or a stellar nuclear network code.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

Reactions between chlorine atom and acetylene in solid para-hydrogen: Infrared spectrum of the 1-chloroethyl radical

We applied infrared matrix isolation spectroscopy to investigate the reactions between Cl atom and acetylene (C{sub 2}H{sub 2}) in a para-hydrogen (p-H{sub 2}) matrix at 3.2 K; Cl was produced via photodissociation at 365 nm of matrix-isolated Cl{sub 2} in situ. The 1-chloroethyl radical ({center_dot}CHClCH{sub 3}) and chloroethene (C{sub 2}H{sub 3}Cl) are identified as the main products of the reaction Cl + C{sub 2}H{sub 2} in solid p-H{sub 2}. IR absorption lines at 738.2, 1027.6, 1283.4, 1377.1, 1426.6, 1442.6, and 2861.2 cm{sup -1} are assigned to the 1-chloroethyl radical. For the reaction of Cl + C{sub 2}D{sub 2}, lines due to the {center_dot}CDClCH{sub 2}D radical and trans-CHDCDCl are observed; the former likely has a syn-conformation. These assignments are based on comparison of observed vibrational wavenumbers and {sup 13}C- and D-isotopic shifts with those predicted with the B3LYP/aug-cc-pVDZ and MP2/aug-cc-pVDZ methods. Our observation indicates that the primary addition product of Cl + C{sub 2}H{sub 2}, 2-chlorovinyl ({center_dot}CHCHCl) reacts readily with a neighboring p-H{sub 2} molecule to form {center_dot}CHClCH{sub 3} and C{sub 2}H{sub 3}Cl. Observation of {center_dot}CDClCH{sub 2}D and trans-CHDCDCl from Cl + C{sub 2}D{sub 2} further supports this conclusion. Although the reactivity of p-H{sub 2} appears to be a disadvantage for making highly reactive free radicals in solid p-H{sub 2}, the formation of 1-chloroethyl radical indicates that this secondary reaction might be advantageous in producing radicals that are difficult to prepare from simple photolysis or bimolecular reactions in situ.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2014

A molecular dynamics study of intramolecular proton transfer reaction of malonaldehyde in solutions based upon mixed quantum-classical approximation. I. Proton transfer reaction in water

In order to investigate proton transfer reaction in solution, mixed quantum-classical molecular dynamics calculations have been carried out based on our previously proposed quantum equation of motion for the reacting system [A. Yamada and S. Okazaki, J. Chem. Phys. 128, 044507 (2008)]. Surface hopping method was applied to describe forces acting on the solvent classical degrees of freedom. In a series of our studies, quantum and solvent effects on the reaction dynamics in solutions have been analysed in detail. Here, we report our mixed quantum-classical molecular dynamics calculations for intramolecular proton transfer of malonaldehyde in water. Thermally activated proton transfer process, i.e., vibrational excitation in the reactant state followed by transition to the product state and vibrational relaxation in the product state, as well as tunneling reaction can be described by solving the equation of motion. Zero point energy is, of course, included, too. The quantum simulation in water has been compared with the fully classical one and the wave packet calculation in vacuum. The calculated quantum reaction rate in water was 0.70 ps{sup −1}, which is about 2.5 times faster than that in vacuum, 0.27 ps{sup −1}. This indicates that the solvent water accelerates the reaction. Further, the quantum calculation resulted in the reaction rate about 2 times faster than the fully classical calculation, which indicates that quantum effect enhances the reaction rate, too. Contribution from three reaction mechanisms, i.e., tunneling, thermal activation, and barrier vanishing reactions, is 33:46:21 in the mixed quantum-classical calculations. This clearly shows that the tunneling effect is important in the reaction.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2016

Mode specificity in the OH + CHD{sub 3} reaction: Reduced-dimensional quantum and quasi-classical studies on an ab initio based full-dimensional potential energy surface

An initial state selected time-dependent wave packet method is applied to study the dynamics of the OH + CHD{sub 3} reaction with a six-dimensional model on a newly developed full-dimensional ab initio potential energy surface (PES). This quantum dynamical (QD) study is complemented by full-dimensional quasi-classical trajectory (QCT) calculations on the same PES. The QD results indicate that both translational energy and the excitation of the CH stretching mode significantly promote the reaction while the excitation of the umbrella mode has a negligible effect on the reactivity. For this early barrier reaction, interestingly, the CH stretching mode is more effective than translational energy in promoting the reaction except at very low collision energies. These QD observations are supported by QCT results. The higher efficacy of the CH stretching model in promoting this early barrier reaction is inconsistent with the prediction of the naively extended Polanyi’s rules, but can be rationalized by the recently proposed sudden vector projection model.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2014

Ring-polymer molecular dynamics: Rate coefficient calculations for energetically symmetric (near thermoneutral) insertion reactions (X + H{sub 2}) → HX + H(X = C({sup 1}D), S({sup 1}D))

Following our previous study of prototypical insertion reactions of energetically asymmetric type with the RPMD (Ring-Polymer Molecular Dynamics) method [Y. Li, Y. Suleimanov, and H. Guo, J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 5, 700 (2014)], we extend it to two other prototypical insertion reactions with much less exothermicity (near thermoneutral), namely, X + H{sub 2} → HX + H where X = C({sup 1}D), S({sup 1}D), in order to assess the accuracy of this method for calculating thermal rate coefficients for this class of reactions. For both chemical reactions, RPMD displays remarkable accuracy and agreement with the previous quantum dynamic results that make it encouraging for the future application of the RPMD to other barrier-less, complex-forming reactions involving polyatomic reactants with any exothermicity.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2015

THE C({sup 3}P) + NH{sub 3} REACTION IN INTERSTELLAR CHEMISTRY. I. INVESTIGATION OF THE PRODUCT FORMATION CHANNELS

The product formation channels of ground state carbon atoms, C({sup 3}P), reacting with ammonia, NH{sub 3}, have been investigated using two complementary experiments and electronic structure calculations. Reaction products are detected in a gas flow tube experiment (330 K, 4 Torr) using tunable vacuum-ultraviolet (VUV) photoionization coupled with time of flight mass spectrometry. Temporal profiles of the species formed and photoionization spectra are used to identify primary products of the C + NH{sub 3} reaction. In addition, H-atom formation is monitored by VUV laser induced fluorescence (LIF) from room temperature to 50 K in a supersonic gas flow generated by the Laval nozzle technique. Electronic structure calculations are performed to derive intermediates, transition states, and complexes formed along the reaction coordinate. The combination of photoionization and LIF experiments supported by theoretical calculations indicate that in the temperature and pressure range investigated, the H + H{sub 2}CN production channel represents 100% of the product yield for this reaction. Kinetics measurements of the title reaction down to 50 K and the effect of the new rate constants on interstellar nitrogen hydride abundances using a model of dense interstellar clouds are reported in Paper II.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Oxygen Storage Properties of La 1– x Sr x FeO 3-δ for Chemical-Looping Reactions—An In Situ Neutron and Synchrotron X-ray Study

Oxygen storage materials (OSMs) provide lattice oxygen for a number of chemical-looping reactions including natural gas combustion and methane reforming. La 1–x Sr x FeO 3-δ has shown promise for use as an OSM in methane reforming reactions due to its high product selectivity, fast oxide diffusion, and cycle stability. Here, we investigate the structural evolution of the series La 1–x Sr x FeO 3-δ for x = 0, 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, and 1, using in situ synchrotron X-ray and neutron diffraction, as it is cycled under the conditions of a chemical-looping reactor (methane and oxygen atmospheres). In the compositions x = 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, and 1, we discover an envelope , or temperature range, of oxygen storage capacity (OSC), where oxygen can easily and reversibly be inserted and removed from the OSM. Our in situ X-ray and neutron diffraction results reveal that while samples with higher Sr contents had a higher OSC, those same samples suffered from slower reaction kinetics and some, such as the x = 1/2 and x = 2/3 compositions, had local variations in Sr content, which led to inhomogeneous regions with varying reaction rates. Therefore, we highlight the importance of in situ diffraction studies, and we propose that these measurements are required for the thorough evaluation of future candidate OSMs. Furthermore, we recommend La 2/3 Sr 1/3 FeO 3-δ as the optimal OSM in the series because its structure remains homogeneous throughout the reaction, and its OSC envelope is similar to that of the higher doped materials.

Taylor, Daniel D.↗
DOE OSTI2016

Bond energies of ThO{sup +} and ThC{sup +}: A guided ion beam and quantum chemical investigation of the reactions of thorium cation with O{sub 2} and CO

Kinetic energy dependent reactions of Th{sup +} with O{sub 2} and CO are studied using a guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometer. The formation of ThO{sup +} in the reaction of Th{sup +} with O{sub 2} is observed to be exothermic and barrierless with a reaction efficiency at low energies of k/k{sub LGS} = 1.21 ± 0.24 similar to the efficiency observed in ion cyclotron resonance experiments. Formation of ThO{sup +} and ThC{sup +} in the reaction of Th{sup +} with CO is endothermic in both cases. The kinetic energy dependent cross sections for formation of these product ions were evaluated to determine 0 K bond dissociation energies (BDEs) of D{sub 0}(Th{sup +}–O) = 8.57 ± 0.14 eV and D{sub 0}(Th{sup +}–C) = 4.82 ± 0.29 eV. The present value of D{sub 0} (Th{sup +}–O) is within experimental uncertainty of previously reported experimental values, whereas this is the first report of D{sub 0} (Th{sup +}–C). Both BDEs are observed to be larger than those of their transition metal congeners, TiL{sup +}, ZrL{sup +}, and HfL{sup +} (L = O and C), believed to be a result of lanthanide contraction. Additionally, the reactions were explored by quantum chemical calculations, including a full Feller-Peterson-Dixon composite approach with correlation contributions up to coupled-cluster singles and doubles with iterative triples and quadruples (CCSDTQ) for ThC, ThC{sup +}, ThO, and ThO{sup +}, as well as more approximate CCSD with perturbative (triples) [CCSD(T)] calculations where a semi-empirical model was used to estimate spin-orbit energy contributions. Finally, the ThO{sup +} BDE is compared to other actinide (An) oxide cation BDEs and a simple model utilizing An{sup +} promotion energies to the reactive state is used to estimate AnO{sup +} and AnC{sup +} BDEs. For AnO{sup +}, this model yields predictions that are typically within experimental uncertainty and performs better than density functional theory calculations presented previously.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

Experimental study of the Si 30 ( He 3 , d ) P 31 reaction and thermonuclear reaction rate of Si 30 ( p , γ ) P 31

Background: Abundance anomalies in some globular clusters, such as the enhancement of potassium and the depletion of magnesium, can be explained in terms of an earlier generation of stars polluting the presently observed ones. It was shown that the potential range of temperatures and densities of the polluting sites depends on the strength of a few critical reaction rates. The 30 Si(p,γ) 31 P reaction has been identified as one of these important reactions. Purpose: The key ingredient for evaluating the thermonuclear 30 Si(p,γ) 31 P reaction rate is the strength of the resonances which, at low energy, are proportional to their proton width. Therefore, the goal of this work is to determine the proton widths of unbound 31 P states. Method: States in 31 P were studied at the Maier-Leibnitz-Laboratorium using the one-proton 30 Si( 3 He,d) 31 P transfer reaction. Deuterons were detected with the high resolution one quadrupole three dipoles (Q3D) magnetic spectrometer. Angular distribution and spectroscopic factors were extracted for 27 states, and proton widths and resonance strengths were calculated for the unbound states. Results: Several 31 P unbound states have been observed for the first time in a one-proton transfer reaction. Above 20 MK, the 30 Si(p,γ) 31 P reaction rate is now entirely estimated from the observed properties of 31 P states. The reaction rate uncertainty from all resonances other than the E$^{c.m.}_{r}$ = 149 keV resonance has been reduced down to less than a factor of 2 above that temperature. The unknown spin and parity of the E$^{c.m.}_{r}$ = 149 keV resonance dominates the uncertainty in the rate in the relevant temperature range. Conclusion: Here, the remaining source of uncertainty on the 30 Si(p,γ) 31 P reaction rate comes from the unknown spin and parity of the E$^{c.m.}_{r}$ = 149 keV resonance which can change the reaction rate by a factor of 10 in the temperature range of interest.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Developing the S 32 ( p , d ) S * 31 ( p ) ( γ ) reaction to probe the P 30 ( p , γ ) S 31 reaction rate in classical novae

Background: The 30 P(p,γ) 31 S reaction rate is one of the largest remaining sources of uncertainty in the final abundances of nuclei created in a classical nova involving a ONe white dwarf. The reaction rate directly influences silicon isotopic ratios, which are used as identifiers of presolar grains with nova origins. Additionally, the uncertainty in the 30 P(p,γ) 31 S reaction rate has been found to limit the use of nova nuclear thermometers based on observations of elemental ratios in nova ejecta. Purpose: Reduce uncertainties in the nuclear data for proton-unbound states in 31 S, which act as resonances for the 30 P(p,γ) 31 S reaction at classical nova temperatures, and develop a technique for high efficiency, high-resolution reaction-decay coincidence measurements. Methods: Here, the 32 S(p,d) 31 S reaction was used to populate the states of interest in 31 S. The experiment was performed at the Texas A&M Cyclotron Institute using the LLNL Hyperion array for the detection of charged particles and γ rays. A downstream silicon telescope was used to select reaction deuterons, and a single upstream silicon detector was used to measure protons emitted in the decay of unbound 31 S levels. Results: Several states in 31 S above the proton separation energy were observed to have been populated. Decay protons from the resonant states in 31 S were identified as events in the upstream silicon detectors that came in coincidence with deuterons in the downstream telescope. Protons emitted from these states were measured and branching ratios extracted. Conclusions: While no new reaction rate is derived, spin-parity assignments for several higher-lying proton unbound states have been confirmed. Measured p 0 branching ratios for these levels have been compared to previous measurements with good agreement, and in some cases provided a reduction in uncertainty. The previously identified T = 3/2 state may have been incorrectly assigned a large p 0 branching ratio in a previous measurement. The technique of measuring reaction-decay coincidences with a particle-gamma setup appears promising.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Sensitivity to Thermonuclear Reaction Rates in Modeling the Abundance Anomalies of NGC 2419

Abundance anomalies in globular clusters provide strong evidence for multiple stellar populations within each cluster. These populations are usually interpreted as distinct generations, with the currently observed second-generation stars having formed in part from the ejecta of massive, first-generation “polluter” stars, giving rise to the anomalous abundance patterns. The precise nature of the polluters and their enrichment mechanism are still unclear. Even so, the chemical abundances measured in second-generation stars within the globular cluster NGC 2419 provide insight into this puzzling process. Previous work used Monte Carlo nuclear reaction network calculations to constrain the temperature–density conditions that could reproduce the observed abundances, thereby placing robust limits on the origins of the polluter material. The effect of individual reaction rates on these conditions has not been studied, however. Thus, we perform an exhaustive sensitivity study on the nuclear physics input to determine which reactions have the greatest impact on these predictions. We find that the {sup 30}Si(p,γ){sup 31}P, {sup 37}Ar(p,γ){sup 38}K, {sup 38}Ar(p,γ){sup 39}K, and {sup 39}K(p,γ){sup 40}Ca reactions are all critical in determining the temperature–density conditions, and ultimately, the origins of the polluter material. We conclude with recommendations for future experiments.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2010

Nuclear Astrophysics and Neutron Induced Reactions: Quasi-Free Reactions and RIBs

The use of quasi-free reactions in studying nuclear reactions between charged particles of astrophysical interest has received much attention over the last two decades. The Trojan Horse Method is based on this approach and it has been used to study a number of reactions relevant for Nuclear Astrophysics. Recently we applied this method to the study of nuclear reactions that involve radioactive species, namely to the study of the {sup 18}F+p{yields}{sup 15}O+{alpha} process at temperatures corresponding to the energies available in the classical novae scenario. Quasi-free reactions can also be exploited to study processes induced by neutrons. This technique is particularly interesting when applied to reaction induced by neutrons on unstable short-lived nuclei. Such processes are very important in the nucleosynthesis of elements in the sand r-processes scenarios and this technique can give hints for solving key questions in nuclear astrophysics where direct measurements are practically impossible.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗