23Na(α,p)26Mg Reaction Rate at Astrophysically Relevant Energies.
The production of 26Al in massive stars is sensitive to the 23Na(α,p)26Mg cross section. Recent experimental data suggest the currently recommended cross sections are underestimated by a factor of ∼40. We present here differential cross sections for the 23Na(α,p)26Mg reaction measured in the energy range E(c.m.)=1.7-2.5  MeV. Concurrent measurements of Rutherford scattering provide absolute normalizations that are independent of variations in target properties. Angular distributions are measured for both p0 and p1 permitting the determination of total cross sections. The results show no significant deviation from the statistical model calculations upon which the recommended rates are based. We therefore retain the previous recommendation without the increase in cross section and resulting stellar reaction rates by a factor of 40, impacting the 26Al yield from massive stars by more than a factor of 3.
Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
A M
AM
Howard
Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
M
M
Munch
Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
H O U
HO
Fynbo
Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
O S
OS
Kirsebom
Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
K L
KL
Laursen
Department of Physics, University of York, York Y010 5DD, United Kingdom.
C Aa
CA
Diget
Department of Physics, University of York, York Y010 5DD, United Kingdom.
N J
NJ
Hubbard