Low-energy radioactive ion beam induced nuclear reactions

Low-energy post-accelerated radioactive ion beams have been used to study nuclear reactions addressing important nuclear structure and nuclear astrophysics questions. A high-granularity, large-solid-angle silicon strip detector array has been used to account for the low reaction products' yields. First experiments using a He-6 beam on thin C-12 targets show the feasibility of direct reaction studies with good angular resolution and a detection limit in access of 0.1 mb sr(-1) cross sections. The measurement of the six alpha-decay channel in a N-13-induced reaction on a B-11 target shows the capabilities of this experimental technique even for sophisticated reaction studies. The study of stellar properties in ground-based experiments, in particular break-out reactions from the hot-CNO, i.e. O-15(alpha, gamma) Ne-19, can be pursued using these beams. Experiments are being performed to study these reactions by measurement of d(Ne-18, p) Ne-19*(alpha)O-15 and alpha(Ne-18, p), which might provide an alternative breakout route.