Level structure of Mg21: Nuclear and astrophysical implications
Resonant elastic scattering of a radioactive $^{20}\mathrm{Na}$ beam incident upon protons in a polyethylene target has been used to probe the level structure of $^{21}\mathrm{Mg}$ above the proton decay threshold. Three states have been observed, and their properties deduced through analysis based on the R-matrix formalism. The results improve and extend previous studies of this nucleus. An estimate of the $^{20}\mathrm{Na}$(p,\ensuremath{\gamma})$^{21}\mathrm{Mg}$ reaction rate, including these new data, suggests this reaction will not play a significant role in explosive hydrogen burning in astrophysical sites such as novae and x-ray bursts.
Charged-particle thermonuclear reaction rates: II. Tables and graphs of reaction rates and probability density functions
Abstract Numerical values of charged-particle thermonuclear reaction rates for nuclei in the A = 14 to 40 region are tabulated. The results are obtained using a method, based on Monte Carlo techniques, that has been described in the preceding paper of this issue (Paper I). We present a low rate, median rate and high rate which correspond to the 0.16, 0.50 and 0.84 quantiles, respectively, of the cumulative reaction rate distribution. The meaning of these quantities is in general different from the commonly reported, but statistically meaningless expressions, “lower limit”, “nominal value” and “upper limit” of the total reaction rate. In addition, we approximate the Monte Carlo probability density function of the total reaction rate by a lognormal distribution and tabulate the lognormal parameters μ and σ at each temperature. We also provide a quantitative measure (Anderson–Darling test statistic) for the reliability of the lognormal approximation. The user can implement the approximate lognormal reaction rate probability density functions directly in a stellar model code for studies of stellar energy generation and nucleosynthesis. For each reaction, the Monte Carlo reaction rate probability density functions, together with their lognormal approximations, are displayed graphically for selected temperatures in order to provide a visual impression. Our new reaction rates are appropriate for bare nuclei in the laboratory. The nuclear physics input used to derive our reaction rates is presented in the subsequent paper of this issue (Paper III). In the fourth paper of this issue (Paper IV) we compare our new reaction rates to previous results.
STATUS UPDATE ON THE ISAC CONTROL SYSTEM
Implementation and commissioning of the EPICS based control system for the ISAC radioactive beam facility was completed. The target ion source, mass separator, and low-energy beam-lines started beam production for experiments. In parallel, controls for the accelerator system, a radio-frequency quadrupole followed by a drift-tube linac, and several high-energy beam-lines were implemented and commissioned. The number of controlled devices more than doubled since the last report. An overview of relational database usage, software engineering and quality control methods used will be given.