First direct measurement of 395 keV resonance of the 22Ne(α, γ)26Mg reaction at LUNA

The 22Ne(α, γ)26Mg reaction is the main competitor of the 22Ne(α, n)25Mg reaction which is the main source of neutrons for the s-process in low-mass asymptotic giant branch (AGB) and massive stars. The 22Ne(α, γ)26Mg reaction rate uncertainty is mainly due to the 395 keV resonance which has been studied only indirectly leading to a wide range of possible values for its resonance strength (10 -14-10 -9 eV). In this paper I will describe the direct measurement of the 395 keV resonance of the 22Ne(α, γ)26Mg reaction at the LUNA facility (Laboratory for Underground Nuclear Astrophysics), located at Gran Sasso National Laboratory. A description of the setup, measurement strategy, and some very preliminary results are presented.