The Path to Improved Reaction Rates for Astrophysics

TL;DR

This review discusses nuclear reactions involving light ions in astrophysics, highlighting differences between stellar and laboratory reactions, and emphasizing the importance of reaction rates and their uncertainties for astrophysical modeling.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of nuclear reaction definitions, differences in reaction environments, and challenges in measuring and predicting astrophysical reaction rates.

Findings

Highlights the importance of reaction rate uncertainties

Provides guidelines for experimental measurements

Explores sensitivity of reaction rates to nuclear property predictions

Abstract

This review focuses on nuclear reactions in astrophysics and, more specifically, on reactions with light ions (nucleons and alpha particles) proceeding via the strong interaction. It is intended to present the basic definitions essential for studies in nuclear astrophysics, to point out the differences between nuclear reactions taking place in stars and in a terrestrial laboratory, and to illustrate some of the challenges to be faced in theoretical and experimental studies of those reactions. The discussion revolves around the relevant quantities for astrophysics, which are the astrophysical reaction rates. The sensitivity of the reaction rates to the uncertainties in the prediction of various nuclear properties is explored and some guidelines for experimentalists are also provided.