Termination of the Proton-Proton Chain in Stellar Interiors.

Abstract

The roles of the various H2-burning and He3-burning reactions in the termination of the proto proton chain in stellar interiors have been re-examined using (1) recent experimental determinations the cross-sections for the H2(p, )He3 and He3(a, )Be7 reactions, (2) theoretical studies of the rates the relevant beta-decay reactions, and (3) a re-examination of the previous cross-section factor detern nations for the other possible reactions in the proton-proton chain.