Abstract
It is frequently assumed that matter in the mass range A ⩾ 20 is processed through the NeNa-cycle during hydrogen-burning nucleosynthesis. The existence of such a reaction cycle implies that the 23Na(p,α)20Ne reaction is more likely to occur than the competing 23Na(p,γ)24Mg reaction. Recently evaluated thermonuclear rates for both reactions carry large uncertainties and allow for both possibilities, a closed and an open NeNa-cycle. We measured the 23Na(p,γ)24Mg reaction at the Laboratory for Experimental Nuclear Astrophysics (LENA). The present experimental results reduce the 23Na+p reaction rate uncertainties significantly. We demonstrate that a closed NeNa-cycle does not exist at elevated stellar temperatures of T = 0.2–0.4 GK. The implications for the nucleosynthesis in classical novae are discussed.
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