New {sup 34}Cl proton-threshold states and the thermonuclear {sup 33}S(p,{gamma}){sup 34}Cl rate in ONe novae

Analysis of presolar grains in primitive meteorites has shown isotopic ratios largely characteristic of the conditions thought to prevail in various astrophysical environments. A possible indicator for a grain of ONe nova origin is a large {sup 33}S abundance: nucleosynthesis calculations predict as much as 150 times the solar abundance of {sup 33}S in the ejecta of nova explosions on massive ONe white dwarfs. This overproduction factor may, however, vary by factors of at least 0.01-3 because of uncertainties of several orders of magnitude in the {sup 33}S(p,{gamma}){sup 34}Cl reaction rate at nova peak temperatures (T{sub peak}{approx}0.1-0.4 GK). These uncertainties arise due to the lack of nuclear physics information for states within {approx}600 keV of the {sup 33}S+p threshold in {sup 34}Cl (S{sub p}({sup 34}Cl) = 5143 keV). To better constrain this rate we have measured, for the first time, the {sup 34}S({sup 3}He,t){sup 34}Cl reaction over the region E{sub x}({sup 34}Cl) = 4.9-6 MeV. We confirm previous states and find 15 new states in this energy region. New {sup 33}S(p,{gamma}){sup 34}Cl resonances at E{sub R}=281(2), 301(2), and 342(2) keV may dominate this rate at relevant nova temperatures. Our results could affect predictions of sulphur isotopic ratios in nova ejectamore » (e.g., {sup 32}S/{sup 33}S) that may be used as diagnostic tools for the nova paternity of grains.« less