Particles and Fields Seminar
Laboratory Neutron Sources for Stellar Nucleosynthesis Studies
Moshe Friedman
Hebrew University
Abstract
The experimental study of stellar nucleosynthesis requires the development of methods capable of reproducing stellar conditions in the laboratory. This goal is particularly challenging for neutron-induced reactions, since neutrons cannot be manipulated using electric fields.
For decades, the ⁷Li(p,n) reaction has been used to produce a quasi-Maxwellian neutron spectrum with an effective temperature of ∼300 MK, relevant for the weak s-process component. The Liquid-Lithium Target (LiLiT) at SARAF provided the world’s most intense quasi-stellar neutron source at this temperature, reaching fluxes of ∼10¹⁰ n/s/cm².
More recently, we recognized the potential of the ¹⁸O(p,n) reaction as a quasi-stellar neutron source corresponding to temperatures of ∼100 MK, relevant for the main s-process component, albeit at lower neutron intensities.
In this talk, we will review the achievements of these experimental programs and discuss future plans to utilize the ⁷Li(p,n) reaction as a neutron source for studies of explosive stellar environments at temperatures of 1.5–3.5 GK.
For decades, the ⁷Li(p,n) reaction has been used to produce a quasi-Maxwellian neutron spectrum with an effective temperature of ∼300 MK, relevant for the weak s-process component. The Liquid-Lithium Target (LiLiT) at SARAF provided the world’s most intense quasi-stellar neutron source at this temperature, reaching fluxes of ∼10¹⁰ n/s/cm².
More recently, we recognized the potential of the ¹⁸O(p,n) reaction as a quasi-stellar neutron source corresponding to temperatures of ∼100 MK, relevant for the main s-process component, albeit at lower neutron intensities.
In this talk, we will review the achievements of these experimental programs and discuss future plans to utilize the ⁷Li(p,n) reaction as a neutron source for studies of explosive stellar environments at temperatures of 1.5–3.5 GK.