9–10 Apr 2026
Europe/Zurich timezone

First indirect measurement of the 26Al(n,p) and 26Al(n,α) cross sections in the context of Multimessenger Astronomy

10 Apr 2026, 12:20
18m

Speaker

Francesco Andreis

Description

The ADONIS experiment (Aluminum DestructION in Stars) is framed within the context of
Multimessenger Astronomy and aims to improve the understanding of nucleosynthesis processes
through the study of the radioactive isotope 26Al. This nucleus, the first γ-ray emitter
observed in our Galaxy, is crucial for understanding the evolution of massive stars, the supernova
explosions and the consequent formation of compact objects such as neutron stars.
The experiment indirectly measures the cross sections of the neutron destruction channels
26Al(n,α) and 26Al(n,p), which are fundamental in determining the abundance of 26Al,
by using the Trojan Horse Method (THM). This method overcomes the experimental difficulties
related to cross-section measurements at astrophysically relevant energies by exploiting
quasi-free breakup reaction mechanisms.
The data, from the 2H+26Al experiment carried out using a radioactive 26Al beam at 3.5
MeV/u and silicon telescopes to detect the reaction products, make it possible to explore the
astrophysically relevant energy range for 26Al synthesis in stellar environments (0–1 MeV).
The current status of the experiment’s data analysis will be presented, including the study
of selected processes used as kinematic and dynamic checks for the correctness of the detectors’
energy and angular calibrations.

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