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The impact of O-17 + alpha reaction rate uncertainties on the s-process in rotating massive stars

Frost-Schenk, J; Adsley, P; Laird, A M; Longland, R; Angus, C; Barton, C; Choplin, A; Aa Diget, C; Hirschi, R; Marshall, C; Portillo Chaves, F; Setoodehnia, K

The impact of O-17 + alpha reaction rate uncertainties on the s-process in rotating massive stars Thumbnail


Authors

J Frost-Schenk

P Adsley

A M Laird

R Longland

C Angus

C Barton

A Choplin

C Aa Diget

C Marshall

F Portillo Chaves

K Setoodehnia



Abstract

Massive stars are crucial to galactic chemical evolution for elements heavier than iron. Their contribution at early times in the evolution of the Universe, however, is unclear due to poorly constrained nuclear reaction rates. The competing 17O(a, ?)21Ne and 17O(a, n)20Ne reactions strongly impact weak s-process yields from rotating massive stars at low metallicities. Abundant 16O absorbs neutrons, removing flux from the s-process, and producing 17O. The 17O(a, n)20Ne reaction releases neutrons, allowing continued s-process nucleosynthesis, if the 17O(a, ?)21Ne reaction is sufficiently weak. While published rates are available, they are based on limited indirect experimental data for the relevant temperatures and, more importantly, no uncertainties are provided. The available nuclear physics has been evaluated, and combined with data from a new study of astrophysically relevant 21Ne states using the 20Ne(d, p)21Ne reaction. Constraints are placed on the ratio of the (a, n)/(a, ?) reaction rates with uncertainties on the rates provided for the first time. The new rates favour the (a, n) reaction and suggest that the weak s-process in rotating low-metallicity stars is likely to continue up to barium and, within the computed uncertainties, even to lead.

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date May 3, 2022
Online Publication Date May 19, 2022
Publication Date 2022-08
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Print ISSN 0035-8711
Publisher Oxford University Press
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 514
Issue 2
Pages 2650 - 2657
DOI https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stac1373
Keywords nuclear reactions, nucleosynthesis, stars: rotation
Publisher URL https://academic.oup.com/mnras/article/514/2/2650/6589423

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