Review of Mathematical Techniques Applicable in Astrophysical Reaction Rate Theory

Abstract

An overview is presented on statistical techniques for the analytic evaluation of integrals for non-resonant, non-resonant depleted, non-resonant cut-off, non-resonant sccreened, and resonant thermonuclear reaction rates. The techniques are based on statistical distribution theory and the theory of Meijer's G-function and Fox's H-function. The implementation of Meijer's G-function in Mathematica constituts an additional utility for analytic manipulations and numerical computation of thermonuclear reaction rate integrals. Recent results in the astrophysical literature related to the use of analytic thermonuclear reaction rates are incorporated.