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.