Speaker
Description
Low-energy $^{12}\mathrm{C}+^{12}\mathrm{C}$ fusion reactions play a crucial role in astrophysical phenomena such as X-ray superbursts (XRSBs), the evolution of massive stars, and Type Ia supernovae. In this reaction, resonance contributions dominate the fusion cross section, and channel-coupling effects are expected to be essential.
We theoretically investigate the $^{12}\mathrm{C}+^{12}\mathrm{C}$ fusion reaction rate within a microscopic framework that explicitly incorporates channel coupling among the $^{12}\mathrm{C}+^{12}\mathrm{C}$, $\alpha+^{20}\mathrm{Ne}$, $p+^{23}\mathrm{Na}$, and related channels. Coupling to these channels leads to fragmentation of $^{12}\mathrm{C}+^{12}\mathrm{C}$ molecular resonances, resulting in the appearance of resonance states just above the $^{12}\mathrm{C}+^{12}\mathrm{C}$ threshold.
These near-threshold resonances can significantly enhance the reaction rate at low temperatures relevant to X-ray superbursts. Experimental confirmation of such resonances is therefore of great importance. In particular, isoscalar monopole (IS0) and quadrupole (IS2) transitions via inelastic scattering provide promising probes to selectively populate these states.
We also discuss ongoing upgrades of the theoretical framework and potential directions for future collaboration.