Helium-Burning Reaction Products and the Rate of Energy Generation.

Abstract

Products of helium-burning reactions in stars are examined with recent observational nuclear physics data, keeping Cox and Giuli's pure helium-star model in mind. 016, which remains the principal product of helium-burning at lower temperature (T8 1.2) and higher density (px = tO gm/cc) even when helium is exhausted inside the core, gives place to Ne20 at higher temperature (T8 = 3) and lower density (pxa = 102 gm/cc). The energy-generation rates are calculated and found to be higher than used before for helium-burning reactions. However, the present higher rate of energy production is found not to have any appreciable effect on the physical parameters, such as the central temperature of Cox and Giuli's models.