POLARIZED PROTON CAPTURE BY DEUTERIUM AND THE H-2(P,GAMMA)HE-3 ASTROPHYSICAL S-FACTOR

The H-2((p) over right arrow, gamma)He-3 reaction has been studied in the energy region E(p)=80-0 keV (E(c.m.)=53.3-0 keV), where the quanti ties measured were sigma(theta,E) and A(y)(theta,E). Our result for th e total H-2(p, gamma)He-3 S factor at E=0 is S(0)=0.121+/-0.012 eV b ( including systematic error), which is 52% lower than the presently acc epted value. Some astrophysical aspects of this result are discussed. We have also extracted the E1 and M1 S(E) components using our detaile d angular distribution data. These data will provide sensitive tests f or three-body calculations which include Coulomb and meson exchange cu rrent effects.