Impact of uncertainties in reaction<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:mrow><mml:mi>Q</mml:mi></mml:mrow></mml:math>values on nucleosynthesis in type I x-ray bursts

Nucleosynthesis in type I X-ray bursts may involve up to several thousand nuclear processes. The majority of these processes have only been determined theoretically due to the lack of sufficient experimental information. Accurate reaction $Q$-values are essential for reliable theoretical estimates of reaction rates. Those reactions with small $Q$-values ($&lt;1$ MeV) are of particular interest in these environments as they may represent waiting points for a continuous abundance flow toward heavier-mass nuclei. To explore the nature of these waiting points, we have performed a comprehensive series of post-processing calculations which examine the sensitivity of nucleosynthesis in type I X-ray bursts to uncertainties in reaction $Q$-values. We discuss and list the relatively few critical masses for which measurements could better constrain the results of our studies. In particular, we stress the importance of measuring the mass of $^{65}\mathrm{As}$ to obtain an experimental $Q$-value for the $^{64}\mathrm{Ge}(p,\ensuremath{\gamma})^{65}\mathrm{As}$ reaction.