Erlangen 2026 – scientific programme

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HK: Fachverband Physik der Hadronen und Kerne

HK 27: Poster Session

HK 27.9: Poster

Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 16:15–18:30, Redoutensaal

New Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry chamber for experimental nuclear astrophysics in Cologne — •Benedikt Machliner, Martin Müller, Svenja Wilden, and Andreas Zilges — University of Cologne, Institute for Nuclear Physics, Germany

Understanding the formation of the elements in the universe is one of the ultimate objectives of nuclear astrophysics. In order to gain a more profound understanding of the complex processes involved in nucleosynthesis, it is crucial to consider the input from all constituents of this highly interdisciplinary field. Key observables, that experimental nuclear physics can contribute, include cross sections and reaction rates, which are indispensable for constraining model calculations.
In order to experimentally determine absolute reaction cross sections, it is necessary to know the number of target nuclei per unit area with sufficient precision. A method that is frequently utilized to determine the areal density - i.e. the target thickness - is Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS). This work presents the new RBS chamber of the Institute for Nuclear Physics at the University of Cologne, which can be attached to both of the institute’s accelerators, namely the 10   MV FN Tandem and 6   MV Tandetron accelerator [1]. The recent experimental campaign demonstrates a substantial enhancement in efficiency, attributable to the advanced instrumentation, without any compromise in precision, as suggested by preliminary data.
Supported by the DFG (ZI 510/12-1).

[1] A. Dewald et al., Nucl. Instrum. Methods B 294 (2013) 18-23

Keywords: instrumentation; p process; activation