Self-Consistent Determination of the Transition Temperature Between the $^{14}\mathrm{C}(n,γ)^{15}\mathrm{C}$ and $^{14}\mathrm{C}(p,γ)^{15}\mathrm{N}$ Reactions

Abstract

We present the first self-consistent theoretical study of the competing $^{14}\mathrm{C}(n,γ)^{15}\mathrm{C}$ and $^{14}\mathrm{C}(p,γ)^{15}\mathrm{N}$ reactions within the same modified potential cluster model (MPCM). For the $^{14}$C$(p,γ_{0})^{15}$N reaction, total cross sections, astrophysical $S$ factors, and reaction rates are calculated using interaction potentials constrained by the available scattering and bound-state data. The astrophysical $S$-factor is estimated as $S(0)=4.5(1)$~keV$\cdot \text{b}$. Combining these results with our recent MPCM calculations for $^{14}\mathrm{C}(n,γ)^{15}\mathrm{C}$, we determine the transition temperature at which proton capture overtakes neutron capture in the production of $^{15}\mathrm{N}$. The self-consistent comparison predicts a transition temperature $T_9^{\rm c.p.}=2.5$ under Maxwell--Boltzmann statistics, significantly higher than previous estimates. The analysis is extended to Tsallis statistics, demonstrating that deviations from thermal equilibrium produce substantial shifts of the transition temperature. These results provide improved nuclear-physics input for astrophysical nucleosynthesis calculations.