Experimental study of the 2H(α,γ)6Li reaction and other recent progress at LUNA

In addition to the well-known 7Li problem of Big Bang nucleosynthesis, observations of 6Li in very metal poor stars hint at a possible Big Bang Li problem. Network calculations show that the 2H(𝛼,𝛾)6Li reaction dominates 6Li production in the Big Bang, but there are no direct experimental data on this reaction at relevant energies. An experiment on this reaction is underway at the 400kV underground accelerator LUNA in Gran Sasso/Italy, and preliminary data will be shown. In addition, recent LUNA work on the 15 N(p,𝛾)16O, 17O(p,𝛾)18 F, and 25Mg(p,𝛾)26Al reactions and a planned 22Ne(p,𝛾)23Na study will be briefly discussed, and an outlook will be given.