Neutron capture on short-lived nuclei via the surrogate (d,pγ) reaction

¹ Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 USA
² Nuclear & Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, CA, 94550 USA

^* Corresponding author : cizewski@physics.rutgers.edu

Published online: 16 May 2018

Abstract

Rapid r-process nucleosynthesis is responsible for the creation of about half of the elements heavier than iron. Neutron capture on shortlived nuclei in cold processes or during freeze out from hot processes can have a significant impact on the final observed r-process abundances. We are validating the (d,pγ) reaction as a surrogate for neutron capture with measurements on ⁹⁵Mo targets and a focus on discrete transitions. The experimental results have been analyzed within the Hauser-Feshbach approach with non-elastic breakup of the deuteron providing a neutron to be captured. Preliminary results support the (d,pγ) reaction as a valid surrogate for neutron capture. We are poised to measure the (d,pγ) reaction in inverse kinematics with unstable beams following the development of the experimental techniques.