A high-resolution study of levels in the astrophysically important nucleus $^{26}$Mg and resulting updated level assignments

TL;DR

This study refines the energy level structure of $^{26}$Mg using proton and deuteron scattering data, which is crucial for understanding neutron production in astrophysical processes and updating nuclear level assignments.

Contribution

It provides new experimental data on $^{26}$Mg levels and proposes revisions to existing level assignments, improving the nuclear data used in astrophysical models.

Findings

Updated level scheme for $^{26}$Mg.

Possible revisions to previous level assignments.

Enhanced understanding of $^{26}$Mg structure.

Abstract

The $^{22}$Ne($\alpha,n$)$^{25}$Mg reaction is an important source of neutrons for the s-process. Due to the difficulty in directly measuring the cross section of this reaction and the competing $^{22}$Ne($\alpha,\gamma$)$^{26}$Mg reaction, indirect methods are frequently used to try to instead calculate the relevant reaction rates. Uncertainty, however, persists in the number and properties of the pertinent excited states of $^{26}$Mg. In this paper, the results of proton and deuteron scattering from $^{26}$Mg are presented, giving a list of levels in $^{26}$Mg. In addition, level assignments in $^{26}$Mg are discussed, including some possible changes to the previously accepted assignments in $^{26}$Mg.