STARLIB: A next-generation reaction-rate library for nuclear astrophysics

None of the currently available stellar reaction-rate libraries include any information on reaction rate uncertainties. Although estimates have been attempted by some rate evaluations, their uncertainties are generally not based on rigorous statistical definitions. Clearly, a common standard for deriving uncertainties is warranted. STARLIB is a new, next-generation reaction-rate library that addresses this deficiency by providing a tabular, up-to-date database that supplies not only the recommended rate and its factor uncertainty but also the rate distribution (i.e. its probability density function PDF). The foundation of this library rests on an entirely new method for calculating reaction rates: Monte-Carlo simulation, which utilizes experimental nuclear physics quantities as inputs, yields a PDF for the reaction rate at a given temperature. From the cumulative distribution of rate probability densities, the low, median, and high rates are naturally defined. In addition, quantities with upper limits are seamlessly included. STARLIB bridges the gap between experimental nuclear physics data and stellar modelers by providing a convenient tabular format with reliable uncertainties and PDFs for use in the simulation of astrophysical phenomena. The library includes all types of reactions of astrophysical interest up to Z = 83, such as (p,γ), (p,α), (α,n), corresponding reverse rates, and weak interactions. Here, we introduce the library, summarize its construction, and offer a method for accessing it on the Internet.