Low-energy {sup 18}F(p, {alpha}){sup 15}O cross section measurements relevant to nova {gamma}-ray emission

During nova outbursts the decay of {sup 18}F is the main source of {gamma}-ray emission at and below 511 keV. In spite of much experimental effort, the quantity of {sup 18}F synthesized still suffers from large uncertainties which arise mainly from the {sup 18}F(p, {alpha}){sup 15}O reaction cross section at low energies. We report here on a new direct measurement carried out at the Louvain-la-Neuve RIB facility of Louvain-la-Neuve using an isobarically pure {sup 18}F beam impinging on a thin polyethylene target. Cross sections down to a center-of-mass energy of 400 keV have been obtained and the results together with previous experimental data were compared to R-matrix calculations. The effect of the relative contribution of the two low-lying 3/2{sup +} resonances as well as the sensitivity of the calculations to the R-matrix radius is studied in detail.