Measurement of ¹⁹Ne Excited States Relevant to the ¹⁸F(p,α)¹⁵O Reaction in Classical Novae

Classical novae emit intense γ-ray radiation, primarily at 511-keV due to electron-positron annihilation, with the ¹⁸F isotope contributing most to observable emissions due to its relatively long half-life. The abundance of ¹⁸F in classical novae is mainly controlled by the primary destruction pathway, ¹⁸F(p,α)¹⁵O, which proceeds through excited states in the compound nucleus ¹⁹Ne. Precise abundance calculations of ¹⁸F remain hindered largely due to uncertainties in the proton branching ratios of higher-lying states and the J^π values of the sub- and near-threshold states in ¹⁹Ne. In order to more precisely determine the properties of these states, we conducted a ¹⁹F(³He,t)¹⁹Ne transfer reaction study using the Super-Enge Split-Pole Spectrograph (SE-SPS) at the Fox Accelerator Laboratory at Florida State University. Proton and alpha decays were collected by the Silicon Array for Branching Ratio Experiments (SABRE) in coincidence with the triton reaction products detected at the focal plane. Results for branching ratios and J^π values of excited states in ¹⁹Ne will be presented.