INPP Seminar | Towards Unveiling the Mystery of the Galactic ²⁶AI, March 19

The Institute of Nuclear and Particle Physics (INPP) presents Sergio Almaraz-Calderon, of  Florida State University,on “Towards Unveiling the Mystery of the Galactic ²⁶Al”, on Tuesday, March 19, at 4 p.m. in Edwards Accelerator Lab, Roger W. Finlay Conference Room.

Sergio Almaraz-Calderon

Abstract: The existence of ²⁶Al (t_1/2 ~ 0.7 Myr) in the interstellar medium provides a direct confirmation of ongoing nucleosynthesis in the Galaxy confirming earlier measurements of excess ²⁶Mg in meteorites and presolar dust grains. From the observed γ-ray intensity an equilibrium mass of 2 – 3 solar masses ∼ of ²⁶Al in the entire Galaxy has been inferred. The understanding of the reactions that produce and destroy ²⁶Al in stellar environments is needed to correctly interpret the observations. However, the existence of a short-lived (t_1/2 = 6.4 s) isomeric state, located 228 keV above the ground state, severely complicates the calculation of its nucleosynthesis. In this talk, I’ll discuss our efforts to better understand the nuclear physics of the astrophysically important nucleus ²⁶Al.