Towards an activation cross section measurement of the O-17(p,gamma)F-18 reaction in a wide energy range

The CNO cycles are fusion processes in stars that convert hydrogen to helium. These hydrogen burning processes occur in several sites and stages of stellar evolution, such as red giants, asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars, massive stars, and classical novae. One of the important reactions in the CNO-III and CNO-IV cycles is O-17(p,gamma)F-18 [1]. The only available total cross section measurement in a wide energy range for this reaction dates back to several decades ago [2] which makes the theoretical extrapolation to astrophysical energies more difficult and introduces uncertainty. The aim of the present work is to provide precise total cross section data in the energy range between about 500 keV and the 2 MeV using the activation method. The experimental campaign at the new tandetron accelerator of Atomki is in progress.