TexAT detector upgrade for 14O(a, p)17F cross section measurement

A direct cross-section measurement of the 14O(a, p)17F reaction is important to understand the light curves of x-ray bursts. The measurement will be performed using the Texas Active Target TPC version 2 (TexAT_v2). The TexAT_v2 aims at measuring lower energy protons from the reaction than the original TexAT. Newly developed silicon and CsI(Tl) detector arrays are added at the left, right and bottom of a modified field cage to increase its detection efficiency. This paper describes the overall specifications and two commissioning experiments performed at Texas A & M University.

Automated summary

A direct cross-section measurement of the 14O(a, p)17F reaction is performed using the improved Texas Active Target TPC version 2 (TexAT_v2), aiming to understand the light curves of x-ray bursts. Silicon and CsI(Tl) detector arrays are added to increase detection efficiency. Two commissioning experiments were conducted at Texas A & M University.