Experimental study of the astrophysical gamma-process reaction 124Xe(alpha,gamma)128Ba

TL;DR

This study measured the cross section of the 124Xe(alpha,gamma)128Ba reaction to better understand the gamma-process nucleosynthesis, finding the reaction rate lower than previous models, which impacts the predicted abundance of 124Xe in supernovae.

Contribution

First experimental measurement of the 124Xe(alpha,gamma)128Ba reaction cross section at astrophysically relevant energies, providing data to refine nucleosynthesis models.

Findings

Measured cross sections are smaller than standard predictions.

The alpha width is lower by at least a factor of 0.125.

The reaction rate is too low to significantly produce 124Xe in supernovae.

Abstract

The synthesis of heavy, proton rich isotopes in the astrophysical gamma-process proceeds through photodisintegration reactions. For the improved understanding of the process, the rates of the involved nuclear reactions must be known. The reaction 128Ba(g,a)124Xe was found to affect the abundance of the p nucleus 124Xe. Since the stellar rate for this reaction cannot be determined by a measurement directly, the aim of the present work was to measure the cross section of the inverse 124Xe(a,g)128Ba reaction and to compare the results with statistical model predictions. Of great importance is the fact that data below the (a,n) threshold was obtained. Studying simultaneously the 124Xe(a,n)127Ba reaction channel at higher energy allowed to further identify the source of a discrepancy between data and prediction. The 124Xe + alpha cross sections were measured with the activation method using a thin window 124Xe gas cell. The studied energy range was between E = 11 and 15 MeV close above the astrophysically relevant energy range. The obtained cross sections are compared with statistical model calculations. The experimental cross sections are smaller than standard predictions previously used in astrophysical calculations. As dominating source of the difference, the theoretical alpha width was identified. The experimental data suggest an alpha width lower by at least a factor of 0.125 in the astrophysical energy range. An upper limit for the 128Ba(g,a)124Xe stellar rate was inferred from our measurement. The impact of this rate was studied in two different models for core-collapse supernova explosions of 25 solar mass stars. A significant contribution to the 124Xe abundance via this reaction path would only be possible when the rate was increased above the previous standard value. Since the experimental data rule this out, they also demonstrate the closure of this production path.