Electron screening effects on \u3b1-decay

An open problem in Nuclear Astrophysics concerns the understanding of electron\u2010screening effects on nuclear reaction rates at stellar energies. In this framework, we have proposed to investigate the influence of the electron cloud on \u3b1\u2010decay by measuring Q\u2010values and \u3b1\u2010decay half\u2010lives of fully stripped, H\u2010like and He\u2010like ions. These kinds of measurements have been feasible just recently for highly\u2010charged radioactive nuclides by fragmentation of 238U at relativistic energies at the FRS\u2010ESR facility at GSI. In this way it is possible to produce, efficiently separate and store highly\u2010charged \u3b1\u2010emitters. Candidates for the proposed investigation were carefully selected and will be studied by using the Schottky Mass Spectroscopy technique. In order to establish a solid reference data set, lifetimes and Q\u3b1\u2010value measurements of the corresponding neutrals have been performed directly at the FRS, by implanting the separated ions into an active Silicon stopper