The Effective Energy in Nuclear Reactions from Exact Probability by Using the WKB Approximation

Abstract

The transmission coefficient through a Coulomb barrier in nuclear reaction is obtained by using the WKB approximation. Hence, we can determine the exact tunneling probability from this method. This probability can be applied in calculating the astrophysical thermonuclear reaction rates. One of the most important aspects in calculating the reaction rates is the value of the most effective energy, EQ for the reaction to occur. The Gamow peak produces a nonlinear equation that is solved iteratively to produce EQ.