Nuclear processes in hot and cold plasmas

Novel optical and high-frequency coherent light sources have opened new possibilities in the investigation of nuclear processes in dense plasmas. We summarize here our study of nuclear excitation and nuclear reactions in different parameter regimes involving dense hot and cold plasmas. First, we address nuclear excitation by electron capture in cold plasmas generated by the X-ray Free Electron Lasers. Then we present recent results on nuclear reactions in laser plasmas envisaged at the future Extreme Light Infrastructure. Finally, we address nuclear branching ratios close to the neutron threshold in hot dense astrophysical plasmas. Our findings are relevant for the understanding of the competition between radiative processes and non-radiative coupling of the nucleus to the atomic shell.