Astrophysical S-factor of the 12C(α, γ) 16O reaction at solar energies

Abstract

The astrophysical S-factor of the 4He+12C radiative capture is calculated in the potential model at the energy range 0.1–2.0 MeV. Radiative capture 12C(α, γ) 16O is extremely relevant for the fate of massive stars and determines if the remnant of a supernova explosion becomes a black hole or a neutron star. Because this reaction occurs at low energies, the experimental measurements are very difficult and perhaps impossible. In this paper, radiative capture of the 12C(α, γ) 16O reaction at very low energies is taken as a case study. In comparison with other theoretical methods and available experimental data, good agreement is achieved for the astrophysical S-factor of this process.