By exploiting innovative experimental techniques and state-of-the-art equipment at
international accelerator facilities it is now possible to access nuclei close to or at the so-called
proton dripline (the boundary at which atomic nuclei become unbound with respect to the
emission of a proton). We are, therefore, able to study the path of nucleosynthesis in explosive
astrophysical events such as Classical Novae and X-ray bursts allowing for in-depth
comparisons with the wealth of recent observational data obtained by space-based telescopes
and from studying the isotopic abundances present in meteorites. Focussing on recent work,
aiming to shed light on the observed flux of cosmic gamma rays from the decay of radioactive
isotopes [1] and on understanding the isotopic ratios present in grains of meteorites formed in
Classical Novae [2], I will highlight how exploiting advanced equipment has enabled significant
progress to be made.
I will also introduce the phenomenon of ground-state proton radioactivity (where the atomic
nucleus is energetically unstable to the emission of a proton). Proton radioactivity is our only
source of experimental information on nuclear structure and masses beyond the proton
dripline and is, furthermore, a key source of information for understanding the flow of nuclear
reactions in the most extreme astrophysical environments [3]. Results will be presented
demonstrating how a range of novel approaches can be combined to solve long-standing
problems in the field [4] and I will also highlight some of our recently performed experiments
in this area.
[1] L. Canete et al., Physical Review C 108 035807 (2023)
[2] A.R.L. Kennington et al., Physical Review Letters 124 252702 (2020)
[3] K. Auranen et al., Physics Letters B 792 187-192 (2019)
[4] D.T. Doherty et al., Physical Review Letters 127 202501 (2021)