Nomenclature phsyics questions

[heartofcourage]

How is this nomenclature read and what is the meaning of the alpha and the n? quote below

In terms of the absolute ¹⁸²Hf abundance, howevever, only AGB (asymptotic giant branch) models of mass ~2 to 4 solar masses are major producers of s process ¹⁸²Hf in the Galaxy, owing to the combined effect of the ¹³C(alpha,n)¹⁶O and ²²Ne(alpha,n)Mg

 

[SteamKing]

How is this nomenclature read and what is the meaning of the alpha and the n? quote below

In terms of the absolute ¹⁸²Hf abundance, howevever, only AGB (asymptotic giant branch) models of mass ~2 to 4 solar masses are major producers of s process ¹⁸²Hf in the Galaxy, owing to the combined effect of the ¹³C(alpha,n)¹⁶O and ²²Ne(alpha,n)Mg

You must be new to physics.

n stands for neutron
alpha stands for alpha particle, which is the same as a helium-4 nucleus (but with no electrons)

The notation ¹³C(alpha,n)¹⁶O is a shorthand form for the nuclear reaction ¹³C + α → ¹⁶O + n