The ${}^{15}$O($\alpha$,$\gamma$)${}^{19}$Ne Breakout Reaction and Impact on X-Ray Bursts

Abstract

The breakout reaction ${}^{15}$O($\alpha ,\gamma$)${}^{19}$Ne, which regulates the flow between the hot CNO cycle and the rp-process, is critical for the explanation of the burst amplitude and periodicity of X-ray bursters. We report on the first successful measurement of the critical $\alpha$-decay branching ratios of relevant states in ${}^{19}$Ne populated via ${}^{19}$F(${}^3$He,t)${}^{19}$Ne. Based on the experimental results and our previous lifetime measurements of these states, we derive the first experimental rate of ${}^{15}$O($\alpha ,\gamma$)${}^{19}$Ne. The impact of our experimental results on the burst pattern and periodicity for a range of accretion rates is analyzed.

4 pages with 5 figures

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