Towards a comprehensive study of the 14N(p,g)15O astrophysical key reaction: Description of the experimental technique including novel target preparation

Abstract

While the 14N(p,g)15O reaction plays a key role in the hydrogen-burning processes in various stellar conditions, its reaction rate is not known with sufficient precision. Therefore, the first scientific project at the recently launched Bellotti Ion Beam Facility of the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso was the measurement of the 14N(p,g)15O reaction cross section in the proton energy range between 250 and 1500 keV. In this paper, the experimental techniques are summarized with special emphasis on the description of solid state nitrogen target production and characterization. The first results of the reaction yield measured at 55 deg detection angle are also presented.