Reactions with radioactive beams and explosive nucleosynthesis

Abstract
This paper summarizes our present understanding of nuclear reactions with short–lived particles, which are relevant for the nucleosynthesis and energy generation in explosive stellar scenarios. It discusses the need for data on reactions far off stability and presents a short description of the present possibilities for measurements with radioactive beams. The paper presents an overview of the nucleosynthesis aspects for different explosive burning scenarios. The possible influence of proton capture reactions on short–lived nuclei are discussed for explosive hydrogen burning in novae and X–ray bursts. Also discussed are various aspects of weak–interaction processes during the collapse phase of a type–II supernova. Finally, we present key reactions for the onset of the α recombination in the neutrino–driven shock of type–II supernovae, and discuss nuclear structure effects forthe r–process path.