Speaker
Description
The K600 magnetic spectrometer and the CAKE silicon detector array form a powerful tool for coincidence measurements in many nuclear physics experiments including nuclear astrophysics. These instruments have been used, among others, in studies measuring proton decays from $\alpha$-unbound states in $^{22}$Mg through the $^{24}$Mg$(p,t)$$^{22}$Mg reaction to study the $^{18}$Ne$(\alpha,p)$$^{21}$Na cross section relevant in type-I X-ray bursts (XRBs). This talk will examine the $^{28}$Si$(p,t)$$^{26}$Si experiment that is scheduled to be performed at iThemba LABS, Cape Town. This reaction can be used in coincidence measurements to study proton decays from $\alpha$-unbound states in $^{26}$Si to determine the cross section and thermonuclear reaction rate of $^{22}$Mg$(\alpha,p)$$^{25}$Al and its influence on type-I XRBs. This talk will also discuss briefly the H-line for nuclear astrophysics at iThemba LABS. This is a dedicated, low-energy beamline for direct measurements using $(p,\gamma)$ reactions and an array of clover detectors.
