ABSTRACT

The effect of plasma and bound-electron screening on the continuum capture rate of τ Be(e ν)τLi is calculated and shown to be negligible for situations in which the proton-proton chain is likely to be important. A more accurate expression for the continuum capture rate is then derived, making use of the numerical work of Bahcall and May. Convenient formulae are presented for use in stellar-model calculations. The average effect of bound-electron capture is also evaluated for several solar models.