Measurement of (α, n) reaction cross sections of erbium isotopes for testing astrophysical rate predictions. (5th March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kiss, G G; Szücs, T; Rauscher, T; Török, Zs; Csedreki, L; Fülöp, Zs; Gyürky, Gy; Halász, Z
• Is Part Of: Journal of physics. Volume 42:Number 5(2015:May)
• Publication Date: 2015-03-05
• Subjects: measured cross section -- activation method -- astrophysical gamma-process; Nuclear physics -- Periodicals; Particles (Nuclear physics) -- Periodicals; Physique nucléaire -- Périodiques; Particules (Physique nucléaire) -- Périodiques; Kernfysica; Elementaire deeltjes; 539.7
• DOI: 10.1088/0954-3899/42/5/055103
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0954-3899

Abstract

Abstract: The γ -process in core-collapse and/or type Ia supernova explosions is thought to explain the origin of the majority of the so-called p nuclei (the 35 proton-rich isotopes between Se and Hg). Reaction rates for γ -process reaction network studies have to be predicted using Hauser–Feshbach statistical model calculations. Recent investigations have shown problems in the prediction of α -widths at astrophysical energies which are an essential input for the statistical model. It has an impact on the reliability of abundance predictions in the upper mass range of the p nuclei. With the measurement of the Er( α, n ) Yb reaction cross sections at energies close to the astrophysically relevant energy range we tested the recently suggested low energy modification of the α +nucleus optical potential in a mass region where γ -process calculations exhibit an underproduction of the p nuclei. Using the same optical potential for the α -width which was derived from combined 162 Er( α, n ) and 162 Er( α, γ ) measurement makes it plausible that a low-energy modification of the optical α +nucleus potential is needed.