Constraining the ³⁰P(p,γ)³¹S Reaction Rate with a Measurement of the ³²S(p,d)³¹S* Reaction

The ³⁰P(p,γ)³¹S reaction rate is the largest source of uncertainty in the abundances of intermediate-mass nuclei produced in classical novae involving ONe white dwarfs. While it is currently not feasible to directly measure the ³⁰P(p,γ)³¹S reaction, it is possible to use indirect methods, such as the ³²S(p,d)³¹S* reaction, to obtain the relevant information about the important resonant states in ³¹S. In particular, resonance energies, spin, and proton and γ partial widths are required to calculate the reaction rate. A measurement of the ³²S(p,d)³¹S* reaction has been performed at the Texas A&M Cyclotron Institute using the charged-particle and γ-ray detector array, Hyperion. The goal of the experiment was to populate states above the proton threshold in ³¹S, which the ³⁰P(p,γ)³¹S reaction proceeds through, and observe the subsequent proton and γ-ray decays. Preliminary results including proton decay and particle-γ coincidence spectra will be presented.