Trojan Horse method and radioactive ion beams: study of $^{18}$F(p,$\alpha$)$^{15}$O reaction at astrophysical energies

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the first application of the Trojan Horse Method to a radioactive ion beam reaction, specifically studying the $^{18}$F(p,$eta$)$^{15}$O reaction at astrophysical energies to understand $^{18}$F abundance in Novae.

Contribution

It introduces the novel use of the Trojan Horse Method with radioactive ion beams to investigate nuclear reactions relevant to astrophysics.

Findings

Preliminary results obtained for the $^{18}$F(p,$eta$)$^{15}$O reaction.

First-time application of Trojan Horse Method to radioactive ion beam induced reactions.

Insights into $^{18}$F destruction channels in Novae.

Abstract

The Trojan Horse Method was applied for the first time to a Radioactive Ion Beam induced reaction to study the reaction $^{18}$F(p,$\alpha$)$^{15}$O via the three body reaction $^{18}$F(d,$\alpha$ $^{15}$O)n at the low energies relevant for astrophysics. The abundance of $^{18}$F in Nova explosions is an important issue for the understanding of this astrophysical phenomenon. For this reason it is necessary to study the nuclear reactions that produce or destroy $^{18}$F in Novae. $^{18}$F(p,$\alpha$)$^{15}$O is one of the main $^{18}$F destruction channels. Preliminary results are presented in this paper.