Level structure of18Ne and its importance in the14O(α,p)17F reaction rate

The level structure of ${}^{18}$Ne above the $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-decay threshold has been studied using the ${}^{16}$O(${}^{3}$He,$n$) reaction. A coincidence measurement of neutrons and charged particles decaying from populated states in ${}^{18}$Ne has been made. Decay branching ratios were measured for six resonances and used to calculate the ${}^{14}$O($\ensuremath{\alpha}$,$p$)${}^{17}$F reaction rate which is a measure of one of two breakout paths from the hot CNO cycle. The new experimental information combined with previous experimental and theoretical information provides a more accurate calculation of the reaction rate.