
Session T7 - Nuclear Reactions: Light Ions and Nuclear Astrophysics.
ORAL session, Tuesday morning, April 08
Regency Ballroom C1, Loews Philadelphia Hotel
Smoothed nuclear properties are applied to single-particle states to determine zero and first-order \beta-strength functions. This method is unique in its ability to predict strength functions of excited-state nuclei by estimating state properties above the ground state levels. Single particle energies of the parent and daughter nuclei are calculated using a simple empirical shell calculation. The astrophysical applications of excited-state calculations are discussed, particularly \beta-decay rates of nuclei in their excited states. Special attention is given to heavy neutron-rich nuclei of particular interest to the r-process of nucleosynthesis.