The module explains how nuclei are synthesised in the Universe. Different processes, such as the burning phase, r, p, n, are discussed. The relevance of nuclear physics and the ways to measure the relevant quantities are covered in the course.

To ensure that the student has a clear understanding of the information needed from nuclear physics to understand processes in stars, and how to measure the relevant quantities.

The student should be able to explain and show knowledge of the fundamentals of fusion burning in stars including phenomena such as quantum tunnelling through the Coulomb barrier and the effect of temperature on stellar reaction rates.  This should be demonstrated in the ability to perform the examination questions to the required standard.

The aim of this module is to examine in detail the nuclear processes of importance in stellar evolution, to discuss the factors which influence these processes and the methods used to measure them.

Nuclear Fusion in Stars

Review of nuclear fusion, Q-values, E_b/A

Sources of nuclear energy

H and He Burning

Hydrogen burning, D and ³He Burning

⁸Be(a, g)¹²C, 0^{/sup>, 7.654 MeV resonance}

C-N, C-N-O cycles, Hot CNO cycle, NeNA and MgAl cycles

Carbon, oxygen, neon and silicon burning

Heavy Elements

 

Elemental abundances

rp-process

Supernovae

Neutron capture cross-sections

The s-process, r-process and the p-process

General Characteristics of Thermo-nuclear Reactions

 

Cross-sections, reaction rates, lifetimes

S(E)-factor, Sommerfeld parameter

Temperature dependence, inverse reactions

Maxwell-Boltzmann velocity distribution

Determination of Stellar Reaction Rates

 

Neutron induced reactions

Charged particle induced reactions

Reactions through resonances

Experimental Nuclear Astrophysics

 

Radiative capture reactions

Measurements of cross-section

Ion sources, accelerators, Van De Graaffs

Inverse reactions with radio-active beams

Topical Problems

Production/detection of solar neutrinos

Low abundance of light elements Li, Be and B

24 hours of lectures/tutorials.

i.                C.Iliade, Nuclear Physics of Stars, Wiley.

ii.              A C Phillips, The Physics of Stars, John Wiley & Sons.

iii.             C Rolfs and C A Barnes, Radiative Capture Reactions in Nuclear Astrophysics, Annual Review of Nuclear and Particle Science 40, 1990, p45.

iv.            B W Carroll and D A Osterlie, An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics, Addison-Wesley.

v.              K S Krane , Introductory Nuclear Physics, Wiley.