Imaginary-time theory for triple-alpha reaction rate

Abstract

Using imaginary-time theory, it is shown that the triple-alpha reaction rate can be reliably calculated without the need to solve scattering problems involving three charged particles. The calculated reaction rate is found to agree well with the empirical NACRE rate, which is widely adopted in stellar evolution calculations. The reason for this is explained using $R$-matrix theory. Extremely slow convergence is found to occur when a coupled-channel expansion is introduced, which helps to explain the very different reaction rates obtained using different theoretical approaches.

References in corpus (2)

• The triple alpha reaction rate and the 2${}^{+}$ resonances in ${}^{12}$C
• Effects of a new triple-$\alpha$ reaction rate on the helium ignition of accreting white dwarfs

Cited by in corpus (6)

• Coupled-channels calculations for nuclear reactions: from exotic nuclei to superheavy elements
• Alpha particle clusters and their condensation in nuclear systems
• Synthesis of C-rich dust in CO nova ourbursts
• Binding two and three $\alpha$ particles in cold neutron matter
• Progress in Nuclear Astrophysics of East and Southeast Asia
• Monopole transition strength function of ${}^{12}$C in three-$\alpha$ model