Progress of the Jinping Underground Nuclear Astrophysics experiment
Abstract
<p indent="0mm">Directly measuring key nuclear reactions within the Gamow window of stars is a critical frontier in modern nuclear astrophysics. The China Jinping Underground Laboratory (CJPL) offers an ultra-low-background environment, serving as the foundation for the China Jinping deep Underground Nuclear Astrophysics experimental platform (JUNA). By utilizing JUNA’s high-intensity accelerator, efficient detectors, and advanced targets, several crucial nuclear reactions relevant to stellar evolution have been successfully measured within the energy ranges of relevant stars. These reactions include <sup>25</sup>Mg(p, γ)<sup>26</sup>Al, <sup>19</sup>F(p, α)<sup>16</sup>O, <sup>13</sup>C(α, n)<sup>16</sup>O, and <sup>12</sup>C(α, γ)<sup>16</sup>O, significantly enhancing our understanding of heavy element production in early and massive stars. The JUNA experiment has achieved internationally advanced levels in data statistics, measurement precision, and sensitivity. This article will summarize JUNA’s key experimental results and compare them with current international advancements to highlight the platform’s unique strengths. Additionally, it will offer an outlook on the future development of JUNA Run-2.</p>
