Cross section measurements of $\alpha$-induced reactions on $^{92,94}$Mo and $^{112}$Sn for $p$-process studies

TL;DR

This study measures alpha-induced reaction cross sections on molybdenum and tin isotopes relevant to the p-process, providing data that refine theoretical models and reduce uncertainties in astrophysical nucleosynthesis predictions.

Contribution

It provides new experimental cross section data for specific reactions near the p-process Gamow window, improving the accuracy of statistical model calculations.

Findings

Cross sections are slightly lower than Hauser-Feshbach predictions but within uncertainties.

Data near reaction thresholds help reduce previous uncertainties by a factor of 20.

Good agreement with recent measurements for $^{112}$Sn($ extalpha, extgamma$) cross sections.

Abstract

The $^{92}$Mo($\alpha,n$)$^{95}$Ru, $^{94}$Mo($\alpha,n$)$^{97}$Ru, and $^{112}$Sn($\alpha,\gamma$)$^{116}$Te cross sections were measured at the upper end of the $p$-process Gamow window between 8.2 MeV and 11.1 MeV. Our results are slightly lower than global Hauser-Feshbach calculations from the code NON-SMOKER, but still within the uncertainty of the prediction. The $^{112}$Sn($\alpha,\gamma$)$^{116}$Te cross section agrees well with a recently measured thick-target cross section in the same energy range. For the $^{92,94}$Mo($\alpha,n$) reactions the present data close to the reaction thresholds could eliminate previous uncertainties within a factor of 20, and we can present now useful comparisons to statistical model calculations with different optical potentials.