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Neutron-upscattering enhancement of the triple-alpha process

Author

Listed:
  • J. Bishop

    (Texas A&M University)

  • C. E. Parker

    (Texas A&M University)

  • G. V. Rogachev

    (Texas A&M University
    Texas A&M University
    Texas A&M University)

  • S. Ahn

    (Texas A&M University
    Institute for Basic Science (IBS))

  • E. Koshchiy

    (Texas A&M University)

  • K. Brandenburg

    (Department of Physics & Astronomy, Ohio University)

  • C. R. Brune

    (Department of Physics & Astronomy, Ohio University)

  • R. J. Charity

    (Washington University)

  • J. Derkin

    (Department of Physics & Astronomy, Ohio University)

  • N. Dronchi

    (Washington University)

  • G. Hamad

    (Department of Physics & Astronomy, Ohio University)

  • Y. Jones-Alberty

    (Department of Physics & Astronomy, Ohio University)

  • Tz. Kokalova

    (University of Birmingham)

  • T. N. Massey

    (Department of Physics & Astronomy, Ohio University)

  • Z. Meisel

    (Department of Physics & Astronomy, Ohio University)

  • E. V. Ohstrom

    (Washington University)

  • S. N. Paneru

    (Department of Physics & Astronomy, Ohio University)

  • E. C. Pollacco

    (Université Paris-Saclay)

  • M. Saxena

    (Department of Physics & Astronomy, Ohio University)

  • N. Singh

    (Department of Physics & Astronomy, Ohio University)

  • R. Smith

    (Sheffield Hallam University)

  • L. G. Sobotka

    (Washington University
    Washington University
    Washington University)

  • D. Soltesz

    (Department of Physics & Astronomy, Ohio University)

  • S. K. Subedi

    (Department of Physics & Astronomy, Ohio University)

  • A. V. Voinov

    (Department of Physics & Astronomy, Ohio University)

  • J. Warren

    (Department of Physics & Astronomy, Ohio University)

  • C. Wheldon

    (University of Birmingham)

Abstract

The neutron inelastic scattering of carbon-12, populating the Hoyle state, is a reaction of interest for the triple-alpha process. The inverse process (neutron upscattering) can enhance the Hoyle state’s decay rate to the bound states of 12C, effectively increasing the overall triple-alpha reaction rate. The cross section of this reaction is impossible to measure experimentally but has been determined here at astrophysically-relevant energies using detailed balance. Using a highly-collimated monoenergetic beam, here we measure neutrons incident on the Texas Active Target Time Projection Chamber (TexAT TPC) filled with CO2 gas, we measure the 3α-particles (arising from the decay of the Hoyle state following inelastic scattering) and a cross section is extracted. Here we show the neutron-upscattering enhancement is observed to be much smaller than previously expected. The importance of the neutron-upscattering enhancement may therefore not be significant aside from in very particular astrophysical sites (e.g. neutron star mergers).

Suggested Citation

  • J. Bishop & C. E. Parker & G. V. Rogachev & S. Ahn & E. Koshchiy & K. Brandenburg & C. R. Brune & R. J. Charity & J. Derkin & N. Dronchi & G. Hamad & Y. Jones-Alberty & Tz. Kokalova & T. N. Massey & Z, 2022. "Neutron-upscattering enhancement of the triple-alpha process," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-5, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-29848-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29848-7
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