Novel technique for Constraining r-Process (n, γ) Reaction Rates

Abstract

A novel technique has been developed, which will open exciting new opportunities for studying the very neutron-rich nuclei involved in the r process. As a proof of principle, the γ spectra from the β decay of 76Ga have been measured with the SuN detector at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory. The nuclear level density and γ-ray strength function are extracted and used as input to Hauser-Feshbach calculations. The present technique is shown to strongly constrain the 75Ge(n,γ)76Ge cross section and reaction rate.

© 2014 American Physical Society