Trojan Horse Method: A general introduction

Abstract

Owing the presence of the Coulomb barrier at astrophysically relevant kinetic energies, it is very difficult, or sometimes impossible to measure astrophysical reaction cross sections in laboratories, especially for the presence of the electron screening effect. This is why different indirect techniques are being used along with direct measurements. The Trojan Horse Method (THM)is a unique indirect technique allowing one to measure astrophysical rearrangement reactions down to astrophysical relevant energies. The basic principle and a review of the main applications of the THM are presented.