Gamma Ray Spectroscopy of $^{\mathrm{19}}$Ne near the $^{\mathrm{18}}$F$+$p Threshold

A direct way to test nova explosion models would be to observe gamma rays created in the decay of radioactive isotopes produced in the nova. One such isotope, $^{\mathrm{18}}$F, is believed to be the main source of observable 511-keV gamma rays. The main destruction mechanism of $^{\mathrm{18}}$F is thought to be the $^{\mathrm{18}}$F(p,$\alpha )^{\mathrm{15}}$O reaction, and uncertainty in the reaction rate is attributed to uncertainties in the energies, spins, and parities of the nuclear levels in $^{\mathrm{19}}$Ne above the proton threshold. In an effort to understand these levels the $^{\mathrm{19}}$F($^{\mathrm{3}}$He,t)$^{\mathrm{19}}$Ne reaction was measured at Argonne National Laboratory using a $^{\mathrm{3}}$He beam. Gammasphere ORRUBA Dual Detectors for Experimental Structure Studies (GODDESS) was used to measure gamma rays from the de-excitation of $^{\mathrm{19}}$Ne in coincidence with the reaction tritons. Preliminary data from the experiment will be presented. This work was supported in part by National Science Foundation and U.S. Department of Energy.