New Tools for Explosive Nucleosynthesis Studies at the Notre Dame Nuclear Science Lab (NSL)

Explosive nucleosynthesis occurs in a number of astrophysical environments including novae, supernovae, and X-ray bursts. Reactions on unstable nuclei critically determine the properties of these astrophysical explosions but are difficult to measure directly owing to the relatively low intensities of these at current-generation radioactive beam facilities. At the NSL, new equipment is being developed and installed in order to indirectly determine these astrophysical reaction rates on unstable nuclei. The Solenoid Spectrometer for Nuclear Astrophysics and Decays (SSNAPD) will utilize the first solenoid of TriSol (see the talk by P. O'Malley) to measure decay branching ratios as low as 10^-5 originating from exotic nuclei. Second, an Enge Split-Pole Spectrometer has been transferred from Oak Ridge and is being installed at the NSL. These projects, their status, and plans will be discussed.