Work

Clarifying the radiative decay of the Hoyle state with charged-particle spectroscopy

Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: A detailed knowledge of the decay properties of the so called Hoyle state in the $$^{12}$$ C nucleus ( $$E_x=7.654$$ MeV, $$0^+$$ ) is required to calculate the rate at which carbon is forged in typical red-giant stars. This paper reports on a new almost background-free measurement of the radiative decay branching ratio of the Hoyle state using advanced charged particle coincidence techniques. The exploitation, for the first time in a similar experiment, of a bidimensional map of the coincidence efficiency allows to reach an unitary value and, consequently, to strongly reduce sources of systematic uncertainties. The present results suggest a value of the radiative branching ratio of $$\Gamma _{rad}/\Gamma _{tot}=4.4(6)\cdot 10^{-4}$$ . This finding helps to resolve the tension between recent data published in the literature.
Language: English
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,590
OpenAlex ID: W4401611879
FWCI: 0.721
Cites: 31
Cited by: 10
Related to: 10