Synthesis of Elements in Compact Stars in Pycnonuclear Reactions with Carbon Isotopes: Quasibound States vs. States of Zero-Points Vibrations

Abstract

(1) Purpose: Conditions of formation of compound nuclear systems needed for synthesis of heavy nuclei in pycnonuclear reactions in compact stars are studied on a quantum mechanical basis. (2) Methods: The method of multiple internal reflections is applied for pycnonuclear reactions in compact stars with new calculations of quasibound spectra and spectra of zero-point vibrations. (3) Results: Peculiarities of the method are analyzed for reaction with isotopes of Carbon. The developed method takes into account continuity and conservation of quantum flux (describing pycnonuclear reaction) inside the full spacial region of reaction, including the nuclear region. This gives the appearance of new states (called quasibound states) in which compound nuclear systems of Magnesium are formed with the largest probability. These states have not been studied yet in synthesis of elements in stars. Energy spectra of zero-point vibrations and spectra of quasibound states are estimated with high precision for reactions with isotopes of Carbon. For the first time, the influence of plasma screening on quasibound states and states of zero-point vibrations in pycnonuclear reactions has been studied. (4) Conclusions: The probability of formation of a compound nucleus in quasibound states in pycnonuclear reaction is essentially larger than the probability of formation of this system in states of zero-point vibrations studied by Zel’dovich and followers. Therefore, synthesis of Magnesium from isotopes of Carbon is more probable through the quasibound states than through the states of zero-point vibrations in compact stars. Energy spectra of zero-point vibrations are changed essentially after taking plasma screening into account. Analysis shows that from all studied isotopes of Magnesium, only 24Mg is stable after synthesis at an energy of relative motion of 4.881 MeV of the incident nuclei 12C.