# The activation method for cross section measurements in nuclear astrophysics

G. Gyürky, Zs. S. Fülöp, F. Käppeler, G. Kiss, A. Wallner

Research output: Contribution to journalReview article

2 Citations (Scopus)

### Abstract

The primary aim of experimental nuclear astrophysics is to determine the rates of nuclear reactions taking place in stars in various astrophysical conditions. These reaction rates are an important ingredient for understanding the elemental abundance distribution in our solar system and the galaxy. The reaction rates are determined from the cross sections which need to be measured at energies as close to the astrophysically relevant ones as possible. In many cases the final nucleus of an astrophysically important reaction is radioactive which allows the cross section to be determined based on the off-line measurement of the number of produced isotopes. In general, this technique is referred to as the activation method, which often has substantial advantages over in-beam particle- or $\gamma$ -detection measurements. In this paper the activation method is reviewed from the viewpoint of nuclear astrophysics. Important aspects of the activation method are given through several reaction studies for charged particle, neutron and $\gamma$ -induced reactions. Various techniques for the measurement of the produced activity are detailed. As a special case of activation, the technique of Accelerator Mass Spectrometry in cross section measurements is also reviewed.

Original language English 41 European Physical Journal A 55 3 https://doi.org/10.1140/epja/i2019-12708-4 Published - Mar 1 2019

### Fingerprint

nuclear astrophysics
activation
cross sections
reaction kinetics
particle beams
ingredients
nuclear reactions
solar system
astrophysics
charged particles
accelerators
mass spectroscopy
isotopes
galaxies
neutrons
stars
nuclei
energy

### ASJC Scopus subject areas

• Nuclear and High Energy Physics

### Cite this

The activation method for cross section measurements in nuclear astrophysics. / Gyürky, G.; Fülöp, Zs. S.; Käppeler, F.; Kiss, G.; Wallner, A.

In: European Physical Journal A, Vol. 55, No. 3, 41, 01.03.2019.

Research output: Contribution to journalReview article

title = "The activation method for cross section measurements in nuclear astrophysics",
abstract = "The primary aim of experimental nuclear astrophysics is to determine the rates of nuclear reactions taking place in stars in various astrophysical conditions. These reaction rates are an important ingredient for understanding the elemental abundance distribution in our solar system and the galaxy. The reaction rates are determined from the cross sections which need to be measured at energies as close to the astrophysically relevant ones as possible. In many cases the final nucleus of an astrophysically important reaction is radioactive which allows the cross section to be determined based on the off-line measurement of the number of produced isotopes. In general, this technique is referred to as the activation method, which often has substantial advantages over in-beam particle- or $\gamma$ -detection measurements. In this paper the activation method is reviewed from the viewpoint of nuclear astrophysics. Important aspects of the activation method are given through several reaction studies for charged particle, neutron and $\gamma$ -induced reactions. Various techniques for the measurement of the produced activity are detailed. As a special case of activation, the technique of Accelerator Mass Spectrometry in cross section measurements is also reviewed.",
author = "G. Gy{\"u}rky and F{\"u}l{\"o}p, {Zs. S.} and F. K{\"a}ppeler and G. Kiss and A. Wallner",
year = "2019",
month = "3",
day = "1",
doi = "10.1140/epja/i2019-12708-4",
language = "English",
volume = "55",
journal = "Zeitschrift fur Physik A Hadrons and Nuclei",
issn = "0939-7922",
publisher = "Springer New York",
number = "3",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - The activation method for cross section measurements in nuclear astrophysics

AU - Gyürky, G.

AU - Fülöp, Zs. S.

AU - Käppeler, F.

AU - Kiss, G.

AU - Wallner, A.

PY - 2019/3/1

Y1 - 2019/3/1

N2 - The primary aim of experimental nuclear astrophysics is to determine the rates of nuclear reactions taking place in stars in various astrophysical conditions. These reaction rates are an important ingredient for understanding the elemental abundance distribution in our solar system and the galaxy. The reaction rates are determined from the cross sections which need to be measured at energies as close to the astrophysically relevant ones as possible. In many cases the final nucleus of an astrophysically important reaction is radioactive which allows the cross section to be determined based on the off-line measurement of the number of produced isotopes. In general, this technique is referred to as the activation method, which often has substantial advantages over in-beam particle- or $\gamma$ -detection measurements. In this paper the activation method is reviewed from the viewpoint of nuclear astrophysics. Important aspects of the activation method are given through several reaction studies for charged particle, neutron and $\gamma$ -induced reactions. Various techniques for the measurement of the produced activity are detailed. As a special case of activation, the technique of Accelerator Mass Spectrometry in cross section measurements is also reviewed.

AB - The primary aim of experimental nuclear astrophysics is to determine the rates of nuclear reactions taking place in stars in various astrophysical conditions. These reaction rates are an important ingredient for understanding the elemental abundance distribution in our solar system and the galaxy. The reaction rates are determined from the cross sections which need to be measured at energies as close to the astrophysically relevant ones as possible. In many cases the final nucleus of an astrophysically important reaction is radioactive which allows the cross section to be determined based on the off-line measurement of the number of produced isotopes. In general, this technique is referred to as the activation method, which often has substantial advantages over in-beam particle- or $\gamma$ -detection measurements. In this paper the activation method is reviewed from the viewpoint of nuclear astrophysics. Important aspects of the activation method are given through several reaction studies for charged particle, neutron and $\gamma$ -induced reactions. Various techniques for the measurement of the produced activity are detailed. As a special case of activation, the technique of Accelerator Mass Spectrometry in cross section measurements is also reviewed.

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U2 - 10.1140/epja/i2019-12708-4

DO - 10.1140/epja/i2019-12708-4

M3 - Review article

AN - SCOPUS:85063336702

VL - 55

JO - Zeitschrift fur Physik A Hadrons and Nuclei

JF - Zeitschrift fur Physik A Hadrons and Nuclei

SN - 0939-7922

IS - 3

M1 - 41

ER -