Radiative capture cross sections: challenges and solutions

Abstract

Radiative capture reactions are one of the main inputs in stellar modelling. In numerous situations, the low energies at which these reactions occur in stars are not accessible with present experimental techniques. Electron screening is one of the major causes of problems in separating the bare cross sections from the screened ones. Indirect experimental techniques have been proposed and are now one of the main tools to obtain these cross sections. I discuss the electron screening problem and the latest progresses obtained with indirect methods.