Detector characterization for a new $^{12}$C+$^{12}$C reaction study at LUNA
Abstract
The C+C fusion reaction plays a crucial role in stellar evolution, including the occurrence of supernova explosions, and in the synthesis of the chemical elements. However, our understanding of its cross section remains severely deficient, particularly below \,MeV, the energy range of interest for astrophysics. To address these unresolved issues, the LUNA collaboration will conduct a dedicated study of the C+C reaction at the Bellotti Ion Beam Facility (Bellotti IBF) located deep underground within the Gran Sasso National Laboratory (LNGS) in Italy. Based on the combination of passive and active shields, this campaign aims to achieve unprecedented sensitivity in measuring the cross sections of the two key reaction channels, C(C,)Ne and C(C,)Na in the low-energy regime via -ray detection. Here, we report on a sensitivity study for the upcoming campaign with a focus on the characterization of two detectors, namely a HPGe detector and a NaI(Tl) array. Furthermore, their intrinsic contamination is thoroughly investigated since this could potentially influence the overall sensitivity. Assuming typical beam intensities of the Bellotti IBF, we will be able to investigate reaction rates significantly below 100 counts per day. In case of the C+C reaction we therefore expect to acquire experimental data well below the current limit of MeV. The results are supported by simulations to highlight the advantageous low-background environment, essential for high-precision nuclear astrophysics studies.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.2601.05285,
title = {Detector characterization for a new $^{12}$C+$^{12}$C reaction study at LUNA},
author = {R. M. Gesùè and S. Turkat and J. Skowroński and M. Aliotta and L. Barbieri and F. Barile and D. Bemmerer and A. Best and A. Boeltzig and C. Broggini and C. G. Bruno and A. Caciolli and M. Campostrini and F. Casaburo and F. Cavanna and T. Chillery and G. F. Ciani and P. Colombetti and A. Compagnucci and P. Corvisiero and L. Csedreki and T. Davinson and D. Dell'Aquila and R. Depalo and A. Di Leva and Z. Elekes and F. Ferraro and A. Formicola and Zs. Fülöp and G. Gervino and A. Guglielmetti and C. Gustavino and Gy. Gyürky and G. Imbriani and M. Junker and M. Lugaro and P. Marigo and J. Marsh and E. Masha and R. Menegazzo and D. Mercogliano and V. Paticchio and D. Piatti and P. Prati and D. Rapagnani and V. Rigato and D. Robb and L. Russell and R. S. Sidhu and B. Spadavecchia and O. Straniero and T. Szücs and S. Zavatarelli},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2601.05285},
year = {2026}
}