Photonuclear reactions with charged particles detection for nuclear astrophysics studies

Measurements of ( γ ,p ) and ( γ ,α ) photonuclear reaction cross sections are relevant for several nucleosynthesis scenarios, from the primordial Big Bang, to stellar burning, and the p-process. Studies of photonuclear reaction cross sections marked a steady development in the last 20 years with the advent of mono-energetic γ -ray beam facilities and improved detection methods. Charged-particle detection from photon-induced reactions in solid targets is mainly achieved with silicon-strip detectors, while time projection chambers were developed for measurements with active gas targets. This review tracks the evolution of charged-particle detection methods and highlights recent ^7 Li( γ ,t ) ^4 He and ^16 O( γ ,α ) ^12 C cross section measurements using mono-energetic γ -ray beams.