Simultaneous measurement of beta-delayed proton and gamma emission of $^{26}$P for $^{25}$Al($p,\gamma$)$^{26}$Si reaction rate

TL;DR

This study measures beta-delayed proton and gamma emissions from $^{26}$P decay to better understand the $^{25}$Al($p,\, ext{gamma}$)$^{26}$Si reaction rate crucial for astrophysical processes, combining experimental data with shell model calculations.

Contribution

First simultaneous measurement of beta-delayed proton and gamma emissions from $^{26}$P decay, providing new data to refine the $^{25}$Al($p,\, ext{gamma}$)$^{26}$Si reaction rate in astrophysics.

Findings

Measured absolute intensities of proton and gamma emissions from $^{26}$P decay.

Shell model calculations favor a $4^+$ spin-parity for the 5946 keV state.

Calculated reaction rate shows differences compared to previous estimates.

Abstract

$\beta$ decay of $^{26}$P was used to populate the astrophysically important $E_x=$5929.4(8) keV $J^{\pi}=3{^+}$ state of $^{26}$Si. Both $\beta$-delayed proton at 418(8) keV and gamma ray at 1742(2) keV emitted from this state were measured simultaneously for the first time with corresponding absolute intensities of 11.1(12)\% and 0.59(44)\%, respectively. Besides, shell model calculations with weakly bound effects were performed to investigate the decay properties of other resonant states and a spin-parity of $4^+$ rather than $0^+$ was favored for the $E_x=$5945.9(40) keV state. Combining the experimental results and theoretical calculations, $^{25}$Al($p,\gamma$)$^{26}$Si reaction rate in explosive hydrogen burning environments was calculated and compared with previous studies.