Direct measurement of low-energy Ne22(p,γ)Na23 resonances

Background: The Ne-22(p,gamma)Na-23 reaction is the most uncertain process in the neon-sodium cycle of hydrogen burning. At temperatures relevant for nucleosynthesis in asymptotic giant branch stars and classical novae, its uncertainty is mainly due to a large number of predicted but hitherto unobserved resonances at low energy. Purpose: A new direct study of low-energy Ne-22(p,gamma)Na-23 resonances has been performed at the Laboratory for Underground Nuclear Astrophysics (LUNA), in the Gran Sasso National Laboratory, Italy. Method: The proton capture on Ne-22 was investigated in direct kinematics, delivering an intense proton beam to a Ne-22 gas target. gamma rays were detected with two high-purity germanium detectors enclosed in a copper and lead shield suppressing environmental radioactivity. Results: Three resonances at 156.2 keV [omega gamma = (1.48 +/- 0.10) x 10(-7) eV], 189.5 keV [omega gamma = (1.87 +/- 0.06) x 10(-6) eV] and 259.7 keV [omega gamma = (6.89 +/- 0.16) x 10(-6) eV] proton beam energy, respectively, have been observed for the first time. For the levels at E-x = 8943.5, 8975.3, and 9042.4 keV excitation energy corresponding to the new resonances, the gamma-decay branching ratios have been precisely measured. Three additional, tentative resonances at 71, 105, and 215 keV proton beam energy, respectively, were not observed here. For the strengths of these resonances, experimental upper limits have been derived that are significantly more stringent than the upper limits reported in the literature. Conclusions: Based on the present experimental data and also previous literature data, an updated thermonuclear reaction rate is provided in tabular and parametric form. The new reaction rate is significantly higher than previous evaluations at temperatures of 0.08-0.3 GK.