Event Details

The ¹²C+¹²C fusion reaction is of great astrophysical importance, influencing the behaviour of superbursts, type Ia supernovae and the s-process in massive stars. Direct measurements at higher energies show resonance-like structures which make extrapolation of the cross section to low energies difficult, while direct measurements at astrophysical energies are prohibitive due to the low cross section and background from target contaminants. Various indirect methods have been utilised to try to identify possible resonances at low centre-of-mass energies in the ¹²C+¹²C including the recent Trojan-Horse measurement and resonance scattering. In this talk I will present the results of an experiment utilising the inelastic scattering of alpha particles from a ²⁴Mg target and subsequent detection of the charged-particle decays from excited ²⁴Mg nuclei. Of particular interest is the identification of two 0⁺ states within the Gamow window for superbursts which may fulfill the role of the so-called "Cooper resonance". These states have many of the properties expected for ¹²C+¹²C resonances (and an unexpected property which also supports this interpretation) and are among the best candidates for low-energy resonances identified thus far.