Relative production rates of $^{6}$He, $^{9}$Be, $^{12}$C in astrophysical environments

Abstract

We assume an environment of neutrons and $α$-particles of given density and temperature where nuclear syntheses into $^{6}$He, $^{9}$Be and $^{12}$C are possible. We investigate the resulting relative abundance as a function of density and temperature. When the relative abundance of $α$-particles $Y_α$ is between 0.2 and 0.9, or larger than 0.9, the largest production is $^{9}$Be or $^{12}$C, respectively. When $Y_α<0.2$ $^{6}$He is mostly frequently produced for temperatures above about 2 GK whereas the $^{9}$Be production dominates at smaller temperatures.

5 pages, 4 figures