Low-energy radioactive ion beam induced nuclear reactions

Low-energy post-accelerated radioactive ion beams have been used to study nuclear reactions addressing important nuclear structure and nuclear astrophysics questions. A high-granularity, large-solid-angle silicon strip detector array has been used to account for the low reaction products' yields. First experiments using a 6He beam on thin 12C targets show the feasibility of direct reaction studies with good angular resolution and a detection limit in access of 0.1 mb sr-1 cross sections. The measurement of the six α-decay channel in a 13N-induced reaction on a 11B target shows the capabilities of this experimental technique even for sophisticated reaction studies. The study of stellar properties in ground-based experiments, in particular break-out reactions from the hot-CNO, i.e. 15O(α, γ)19Ne, can be pursued using these beams. Experiments are being performed to study these reactions by measurement of d(18Ne, p)19Ne*(α)15O and α(18Ne, p), which might provide an alternative breakout route. (author)