17O(n, alpha ) 14C: Closure of a Primordial CNO Bi-Cycle?
Abstract
The cross section of the O-17(n, alpha)C-14 reaction was investigated in the neutron energy range from 10 to 250 keV. Compared to previous measurements, our results are about 40 times lower around 130 keV but show reasonable agreement in other energy regions. In terms of the astrophysical reaction rate, this discrepancy gives rise to a correction of up to a factor of two. The present results imply that the O-17(n, alpha)C-14 reaction indeed plays an important role in inhomogeneous big bang models, since it hampers significantly the synthesis of heavier elements, which could act as seed for a primordial r-process.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- August 1993
- DOI:
- 10.1086/173042
- Bibcode:
- 1993ApJ...413..750S
- Keywords:
-
- Chemical Evolution;
- Cosmology;
- Interstellar Chemistry;
- Nuclear Fusion;
- Abundance;
- Astronomical Models;
- Heavy Elements;
- Neutron Flux Density;
- Astrophysics;
- NUCLEAR REACTIONS;
- NUCLEOSYNTHESIS;
- ABUNDANCES