Nuclear Clusters in Astrophysics

Abstract

The role of nuclear clustering is discussed for nucleosynthesis in stellar evolution with the previously proposed Cluster Nucleosynthesis Diagram (CND). I mainly discuss -cluster nature for nucleosynthesis, which can be investigated by two experimental methods, alpha resonant elastic scattering and direct alpha transfer reactions. Specifically, we present the important role of  cluster resonance in the (,p) reactions. The applicability of direct cluster transfer reactions are also discussed in terms of the reaction mechanism. Some possibilities are also discussed for the investigation of O-and C-burning with massive transfer reactions.