New measurement of the d(d,p)t reaction at astrophysical energies via the Trojan-horse method

TL;DR

This paper presents an indirect measurement of the d(d,p)t reaction at astrophysical energies using the Trojan horse method, providing new data crucial for nucleosynthesis and fusion energy research.

Contribution

It introduces a novel application of the Trojan horse method to measure the d(d,p)t reaction at lower energies, improving accuracy and testing nucleus invariance.

Findings

Determined the astrophysical S(E) factor at near-zero energy.

Estimated the electron screening potential U_e.

Validated the Trojan horse nucleus invariance.

Abstract

The study of d(d,p)t reaction is very important for the nucleosynthesis in both standard Big Bang and stellar evolution, as well as for the future fusion reactors planning of energy production. The d(d,p)t bare nucleus astrophysical S(E) factor has been measured indirectly at energies from about 400 keV down to several keV by means of the Trojan horse method applied to the quasi-free process $\rm {}^2H({}^6Li,pt){}^4He$ induced at a lithium beam energy of 9.5 MeV, which is closer to the zero quasi-free energy point. An accurate analysis leads to the determination of the $\rm S_{bare}(0)=56.7 \pm 2.0 keV \cdot b$ and of the corresponding electron screening potential $\rm U_e = 13.2 \pm 4.3 eV$. In addition, this work gives an updated test for the Trojan horse nucleus invariance comparing with previous indirect investigations using $\rm {}^3He=(d+p)$ breakup.