Determination of the asymptotic normalization coefficients for 14C + n 15C, the 14C(n,y)15C reaction rate, and evaluation of a new method to determine spectroscopic factors.

The 14C + n ↔ l5C system has been used as a test case in the evaluation of a new method to determine spectroscopic factors that uses the asymptotic normalization coefficient (ANC). The method proved to be unsuccessful for this case. As part of this experimental program, the ANCs for the 15C ground state and first excited state were determined using a heavy-ion neutron transfer reaction as well as the inverse kinematics (d,p) reaction, measured at the Texas A&M Cyclotron Institute. The values C²id5/2 = 1.88 ± 0.18 fm 1 for the ground state and C²id5/2 = 4.25 ± 0.38 × 10-3 fm-1 for the first excited state (Eexc = 740 keV) were obtained. The ANCs were used to evaluate the astrophysical direct neutron capture rate on 14C, which was then compared with the most recent direct measurement and found to be in good agreement. A study of the 15C SF via its mirror nucleus 15F and a new insight into deuteron stripping theory are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]