¹³C(α,n)¹⁶O: The Source of Neutrons for the s-process main component

Abstract

The 13C(α, n)16O reaction operates in the He intershell of low-mass(M < 4 M⊙) AGB stars and it is the neutron source that allows the creation of the main component of the s-process elements. The reaction rate is then required to be well known in the energy range of astrophysical interest. Therefore, the 13C(α, n)16O reaction rate has been calculated in stellar like conditions using a nuclear-model based computer code TALYS. The results have been compared with available literature data and found to be in good agreement with experimental data and, evaluated data NACRE II as well.