Precision study of the 14N(p, gamma)15O reaction at LUNA


Precision study of the 14N(p, gamma)15O reaction at LUNA

Marta, M.; Bemmerer, D.; Kunz, R.; Rolfs, C.; Strieder, F.; Trautvetter, H.-P.

The rate of the hydrogen-burning CNO cycle is controlled by the slowest reaction, 14N(p,gamma)15O. 15-30% of the total cross section are contributed by radiative capture to the ground state in 15O. Previous extrapolated S-factors for this ground state contribution disagree by a factor 2. The precision of those previous studies had been limited by a sizable true coincidence summing correction. In a new experiment using a segmented Clover detector deep underground at LUNA, the summing correction has been reduced by a factor 30, so existing R-matrix fits can now be precisely tested. The present data enable a direct measurement of the metallicity at the center of the Sun by detecting solar CNO neutrinos, for example at Borexino.

Keywords: nuclear astrophysics; CNO cycle; solar neutrinos; Clover segmented detector

  • Lecture (Conference)
    DPG Frühjahrstagung des AMOP und der Fachverbände Hadronen und Kerne, Umweltphysik, 10.-14.03.2008, Darmstadt, Deutschland

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-11606
Publ.-Id: 11606