Cross-section measurements to low-lying excited final states in the Mg 24 (α,p) Al ∗ 27 (γ) reaction as an energy source for X-ray bursts

Energy production in Type Ia X-ray bursts depends on a number of nuclear reactions that become efficient in a hot environment (up to 2 GK). Model sensitivity studies have been performed in an effort to better identify the reactions that have the largest effect, but these efforts are hampered by the high level of complexity of the astrophysical model and large nuclear physics uncertainties. In a recent study, the Mg24(α,p)Al27 reaction was found to significantly affect the energy generation in X-ray bursts. This manuscript reports the first study of the Mg24(α,p1,2γ)Al27 reaction at energies relevant for X-ray bursts. The branches to the Al27 excited states increase to a small degree the estimates of the total astrophysical Mg24(α,p)Al27 reaction rate.