Low Energy Nuclear Reactions in Late Stellar Evolution

University Of Notre Dame, Notre Dame IN

Investigators

Abstract

The project is concerned with the study and simulation of low energy nuclear reactions during the post-main sequence phase of stellar evolution. The particular goal is the measurement of helium burning direction in Red Giant stars and hydrogen and helium burning processes in Asymptotic Giant (AGB) stars. This information is necessary for the interpretation of observational data on isotopic and elemental abundance distribution in the atmospheres of Red Giants and in the planetary nebulae surrounding AGB stars. The determination of these processes is not only important for the understanding of nucleosynthesis mechanisms but also for the interpretation of fast dredge-up and convection processes in these The experiments are performed at the Notre Dame low energy KN accelerator which is dedicated for nuclear astrophysics measurements.