Indirect Techniques in Nuclear Astrophysics: Asymptotic Normalization Coefficients and the Trojan Horse Method

Both direct and indirect techniques have been used for many years to determine nuclear reaction rates at astrophysical energies. A number of problems have been encountered which limit measurements by direct techniques, including very low cross sections, the importance of subthreshold states and the need for radioactive targets. Over the past decade, new indirect techniques have been developed to help overcome some of these problems. In this contribution, two new techniques—Asymptotic Normalization Coefficients and the Trojan Horse Method— are described. Examples of their use in defining astrophysical reaction rates are also presented.