14C(α,γ) reaction rate

The 14C(α,γ) reaction rate at temperatures below 0.3 GK depends on the properties of two near threshold resonances in 18O, the 1- at 6.198 MeV and the 3- at 6.404 MeV. The α+14C asymptotic normalization coefficients for these resonances were determined using the α-transfer reactions 14C(7Li, t) and 14C(6Li, d) at sub-Coulomb energies. The 14C(α,γ) reaction rate at low temperatures has been evaluated. Implications of the new reaction rate on the evolution of accreting helium white dwarfs and on the nucleosynthesis of low mass stars during the asymptotic giant branch phase are discussed.