Abstract
Observations of galactic -ray activity have challenged the current understanding of nucleosynthesis in massive stars. Recent measurements of abundances relative to have underscored the need for accurate nuclear information concerning the stellar production of . In light of this motivation, a first measurement of the stellar cross section, the predominant destruction mechanism of , has been performed by activation at the Karlsruhe Van de Graaff accelerator. Results show a Maxwellian averaged cross section at of , a significant reduction in uncertainty with respect to existing theoretical discrepancies. This result will serve to significantly constrain models of nucleosynthesis in massive stars.
- Received 20 August 2008
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.102.151101
©2009 American Physical Society