Charged-particle decays of highly excited states in $^{19}$F

TL;DR

This paper investigates the decay branching ratios of excited states in $^{19}$F to better understand neutron-capture reactions on $^{18}$F, which influence nitrogen isotope production in supernovae.

Contribution

It provides experimental data on decay branching ratios of $^{19}$F states above the neutron threshold, improving reaction rate constraints.

Findings

Decay branching ratios measured for specific $^{19}$F states.

Enhanced understanding of $^{18}$F neutron-capture reaction pathways.

Implications for nucleosynthesis models in supernovae.

Abstract

Neutron-capture reactions on $^{18}$F in the helium-burning shell play an important role in the production of $^{15}$N during core-collapse supernovae. The competition between the $^{18}$F($n,p/\alpha$)$^{18}$O/$^{15}$N reactions controls the amount of $^{15}$N produced. The strengths of these reactions depend on the decay branching ratios of states in $^{19}$F above the neutron threshold. We report on an experiment investigating the decay branching ratios of these states in order to better constrain the strengths of the reactions.