Effects on $^{18}$F production in novae from changes in the $^{17}$O(p,$\alpha$)$^{14}$N rate

The properties of a resonance at 183 keV are important for understanding the $^{17} $O(p,$\alpha$)$^{14}$N and $^{17}$O(p,$\gamma$)$^{18}$F reaction rates at nova temperatures and was recently reported to significantly increase the (p,$\alpha$) reaction rate. A method involving the bombardment of a hydrogen filled target chamber was recently developed at ORNL for measuring the strength and energy of (p, $\alpha$) resonances and was applied to measure this resonance in $^{17}$O(p,$ \alpha$)$^{14}$N. The strength of the resonance was confirmed and post-processing nova nucleosynthesis simulations show the new $^{17}$O(p,$\alpha$)$^{14}$N reaction rate significantly decreases $^{18}$F production in low mass ONeMg novae but has little effect on more energetic novae [Moazen et. al. Phys. Rev. C 75 065801 (2007)]. Results and astrophysical implications will be presented as well as future plans to measure $^{18}$F(p,$\alpha$)$^{15}$O with this technique. ORNL is managed by UT Battelle for the US DOE