Speaker
Description
The $^{12}$C + $^{12}$C fusion reaction is pivotal in the synthesis of elements in stars, yet its cross-section at low energies remains poorly constrained, particularly below 2.2 MeV in the center of mass, which is of prime importance for astrophysics. To address this gap, the LUNA collaboration is conducting a direct measurement of this reaction deep underground at the Bellotti Ion Beam Facility (IBF), located at the Italian National Laboratory of Gran Sasso (LNGS). The low-background environment of LNGS, shielded from cosmic radiation by over 1400 meters of rock, offers an ideal setting to investigate rare nuclear reactions with unprecedented sensitivity. This study focuses on the detection of photons emitted in the de-excitation of $^{20}$Ne and $^{23}$Na populated via the two key reaction channels: $^{12}$C($^{12}$C,$\alpha$)$^{20}$Ne and $^{12}$C($^{12}$C,p)$^{23}$Na.
In this presentation, we discuss the preliminary results obtained from recent measurements, including the characterization of various carbon targets under irradiation with the intense $^{12}$C beam from the Bellotti IBF, the experimental setup and the analysis techniques.
These advancements position the LUNA experiment to make the first-ever direct measurement of the $^{12}$C + $^{12}$C reaction in the crucial low-energy regime below 2.2 MeV, with a potential to provide key insights into stellar fusion processes and the origin of elements.
