Space Industry and Business News
STELLAR CHEMISTRY
Breakthrough in rapid proton capture process unveils new reaction rate
File illustration of a Type I X-ray Burst.
Breakthrough in rapid proton capture process unveils new reaction rate
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Jul 26, 2023

In an important breakthrough for nuclear astrophysics, an international team led by HOU Suqing from the Institute of Modern Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has successfully derived a new reaction rate for a crucial component of the rapid proton capture process (rp-process). Their findings were recently published in The Astrophysical Journal.

Type I X-ray bursts, the most common thermonuclear stellar explosions within our galaxy, feature the rp-process as a fundamental nucleosynthesis operation. The rp-process involves the rapid capture of protons by heavier atomic nuclei, leading to the formation of new, heavier atomic elements.

A key nuclear reaction within the rp-process is the 26P(p,y)27S reaction. This operation encapsulates the process of a proton being captured by a Phosphorus-26 (26P) atom, resulting in the formation of a Sulfur-27 (27S) atom and the emission of a gamma-ray photon. Accurate knowledge of this specific reaction is imperative for a comprehensive understanding of the rp-process during Type I X-ray bursts.

The international astrophysics team, which comprised members from the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, the University of Hull, Michigan State University, and Texas A and M University-Commerce, has advanced our understanding of this critical reaction rate. By using the most recent nuclear mass data for Sulfur-27, the team found that the 26P(p,y)27S reaction rate is largely driven by a direct capture reaction mechanism, contrary to the previously assumed resonant capture.

This discovery has a profound impact on the reaction rate values, with the newly derived rate being at least an order of magnitude smaller than prior rates derived from statistical models, particularly within the temperature range where X-ray bursts occur.

In addition, when the team applied their new reaction rates to rp-process calculations, they noted significant changes in the ratio of isotope abundances. Specifically, the ratio of Sulfur-27 to Phosphorus-26 isotopes became ten times smaller than ratios derived using prior rates from the Joint Institute for Nuclear Astrophysics reaction rate database (Reaclib). Furthermore, they discovered a greater accumulation of material on the Phosphorus-26 nucleus as compared to Sulfur-27 throughout the entire rp-process.

This research fundamentally redefines our understanding of the processes that drive Type I X-ray bursts. The new insights into the rp-process and the more accurate understanding of the nuclear reactions that fuel these stellar explosions could potentially revolutionize our models of these frequent and powerful thermonuclear events.

Research Report:New 26P(p,y)27S Thermonuclear Reaction Rate and Its Astrophysical Implications in the rp-process

Related Links
Institute of Modern Physics
Stellar Chemistry, The Universe And All Within It

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
STELLAR CHEMISTRY
Pioneering Design Proposes Highly Directional Single-Photon Source
Madrid, Spain (SPX) Jul 14, 2023
Researchers from the Institute of Optics of CSIC and the Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO) based in Barcelona, Spain, have put forth a new design to refine the creation of highly directional single-photon sources. This innovative approach could potentially enhance the performance of existing quantum technologies. Single-photon sources, key components in quantum optical devices, play a vital role in fields such as quantum computing, cryptography, and metrology. The photons these devices generat ... read more

STELLAR CHEMISTRY
Imaging shows how solar-powered microbes turn CO2 into bioplastic

For decades, artist Eduardo Kac has been laser-focused on sending hologram project into space

Goddard, Wallops Engineers Test Printed Electronics in Space

Optimum Technologies unveils innovative spacecraft facility in Northern Virginia

STELLAR CHEMISTRY
ATLAS Space launches Freedom Space for Government Missions

SYRACUSE 4B Satellite Launched: Boost for French Military Communications

DoD awards Global X-Band Blanket Purchase Agreement to SES

Ensuring reliable communications between US and Partners at the tactical edge

STELLAR CHEMISTRY
STELLAR CHEMISTRY
Potential earthquake precursor discovered through GPS measurements

Northrop Grumman's new airborne navigation system achieves successful flight test

Fugro and GomSpace deliver world class position and timing accuracy onboard LEO satellites

GMV to head up Galileo ground segment after securing a new contract

STELLAR CHEMISTRY
France and Japan hold first-ever joint air force exercises

Crew dead as Saudi fighter jet crashes in training: statement

Rafale sales help France reach arms exports record

On the wing-lets of innovation with NASA Armstrong

STELLAR CHEMISTRY
A novel catalyst for efficient hydrogen production

Controlling the electro-optic response of a perovskite coupled to a phonon-resonant cavity

New quantum magnet unleashes electronics potential

Chip giant TSMC determined to 'keep roots in Taiwan': CEO

STELLAR CHEMISTRY
NASA-led Mission to Map Air Pollution in 3D Over Megacities

PlanetiQ Commences Daily Deliveries of High-Quality GNSS-RO Data to NOAA

Groundbreaking method to speed up aerosol retrieval data from Chinese optical satellite

Crews head down river, out to sea to prep new SWOT water satellite

STELLAR CHEMISTRY
EU looks to ban harmful chemicals in imported toys

Lebanese activists fight rampant beachside development

Marine animal poisonings overwhelm California volunteers

France to pay bonus for shoe, clothes repairs to cut waste

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.