A multichannel algebraic scattering approach to astrophysical reactions

Abstract

The investigation of many astrophysical processes is dependent upon an understanding of nuclear reaction rates. However, nuclear capture reactions of astrophysical interest occur at extremely low energies, taking place at the Gamow energy within the stellar environment. Hence, they are hard to study experimentally due to Coulomb repulsion. They may also involve compound resonances stemming from a delicate interplay of many quantum states in the colliding bodies. The multi-channel algebraic scattering (MCAS) method is one that addresses both of these challenges; it has a history of successfully modelling narrow compound resonance structures, incorporating as many channels as are important for a given problem, but is also proven in recreating the lowenergy, non-resonant elastic scattering cross sections needed for these astrophysics problems. We provide an overview of MCAS’ techniques of modelling elastic scattering reactions, how these may be extended to capture reactions, and current work in this area.