The importance of parity-dependence of the nuclear level density in the prediction of astrophysical reaction rates

A simple description for obtaining the parity distribution of nuclear levels in the pf + g(9/2) shell as a function of excitation energy was recently derived. We implement this in a global nuclear level density model. In the framework of the statistical model, cross sections and astrophysical reaction rates are calculated in the Fe region and compared to rates obtained with the common assumption of an equal distribution of parities. We find considerable differences, especially for reactions involving particles in the exit channel.