New developments and recent results in nuclear astrophysics at Louvain-la-Neuve

Nuclear astrophysics using radioactive nuclear beams is one of the major research topics in Louvain-la-Neuve. Recently, experiments aiming at the measurement of ( alpha , gamma ), and ( alpha ,p) reactions have been performed. The /sup 15/O( alpha , gamma )/sup 19/Ne reaction was studied using an indirect method based on the study of the /sup 18/Ne(d,p)/sup 19/Ne*. Preliminary results of a new analysis of this experiment are presented here. The new mass recoil separator ARES, coupled to the new cyclotron CYCLONE-44, is now operational. The ARES project status and results of performance tests are reported here.