Question about Neon-burning Process

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SUMMARY

The neon-burning process in stars involves the fusion of two Neon-20 atoms into Oxygen-16 and Magnesium-24 rather than Calcium-40. This process consists of two reactions: first, Neon-20 undergoes photodisintegration into Oxygen-16 and an alpha particle (He-4) via the reaction Ne-20 + gamma -> O-16 + He-4. Subsequently, at high temperatures, another Neon-20 nucleus captures the alpha particle, resulting in Magnesium-24 through the reaction Ne-20 + He-4 -> Mg-24 + gamma. This mechanism highlights the necessity of two Neon nuclei, one to donate and the other to absorb the alpha particle.

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  • Basic concepts of alpha particle interactions
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Astronomers, astrophysicists, and students of stellar evolution will benefit from this discussion, particularly those interested in the processes of nuclear fusion and the lifecycle of stars.

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During the neon-burning process in stars, why do two Neon-20 atoms fuse into Oxygen-16 and Magnesium-24 instead of forming Calcium-40?
 
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The 2Ne20->O16+Mg24+energy reaction is the nett result. It's actually two reactions.
First, neon is photodisintegrated into oxygen and an alpha particle:
Ne20+gamma->O16+He4
Normally the reverse reaction would occur, keeping the neon stock steady. But with sufficient temperature, alpha capture by another neon nucleus is preferred:
Ne20+He4->Mg24+gamma
So you need two neon nuclei, one to donate the alpha particle, the other to subsequently absorb it. It's not that the two neons collide, and two other nuclei pop out.

See e.g. here:
https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0004-637X/797/2/83
 
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Bandersnatch said:
The 2Ne20->O16+Mg24+energy reaction is the nett result. It's actually two reactions.
First, neon is photodisintegrated into oxygen and an alpha particle:
Ne20+gamma->O16+He4
Normally the reverse reaction would occur, keeping the neon stock steady. But with sufficient temperature, alpha capture by another neon nucleus is preferred:
Ne20+He4->Mg24+gamma
So you need two neon nuclei, one to donate the alpha particle, the other to subsequently absorb it. It's not that the two neons collide, and two other nuclei pop out.

See e.g. here:
https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0004-637X/797/2/83
Thank you very much!
 
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