Investigation of astrophysically relevant reactions for the p process within the Gamow window

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Andreas Zilges
• Subject Area: Nuclear and Elementary Particle Physics, Quantum Mechanics, Relativity, Fields
• Term: from 2008 to 2012
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 102419368

The origin of energy in our universe and the understanding of synthesis of elements during life and death of stars are amongst the most challenging questions in physics. These questions are addressed by a research field which combines nuclear physics and astrophysics and is commonly denoted as Nuclear Astrophysics. The description of the nucleosynthesis of heavy proton-rich isotopes within the so-called p process is based on astrophysical reaction networks involving thousands of photodisintegration reactions. Network calculations trying to reproduce this process are strongly hampered by rather large uncertainties stemming from the nuclear-physics input involved in the theoretical model predictions. The proposed project deals with the experimental investigation of astrophysical relevant reactions for the p process. Therefore, it is planned to study proton- and (- particle-induced reactions on proton-rich isotopes with astrophysical implications in the mass region close to and above A = 100. The experiments will be performed at the tandem ion accelerator at the University of Cologne. Complementary investigations will be carried out at the experimental facility at TU Darmstadt.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants