First application of Markov chain Monte Carlo-based Bayesian data analysis to the Doppler-shift attenuation method

Motivated primarily by the large uncertainties in thermonuclear rate of $^{30}$P$(p,\gamma)^{31}$S reaction that limit our understanding classical novae, we carried out lifetime measurements $^{31}$S excited states using Doppler Shift Lifetimes (DSL) facility at TRIUMF Isotope Separator and Accelerator (ISAC-II) facility. The were populated $^{3}$He$(^{32}$S$,\alpha)^{31}$S reaction. deexcitation $\gamma$ rays detected a clover-type high-purity germanium detector coincidence with $\alpha$ particles silicon telescope. We have applied modern Markov chain Monte Carlo-based Bayesian methods to perform lineshape analyses Doppler-shift attenuation method $\gamma$-ray data for first time. determined lifetimes two lowest-lying states. First experimental upper limits on four higher-lying been obtained. results compared shell-model calculations five universal $sd$-shell Hamiltonians. Evidence originating from astrophysically important $J^\pi=3/2^+$, 260-keV resonance has also observed, although strong constraints will require better statistics.