Novel technique for constraining r-process (n,$\gamma$) reaction rates

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new method for constraining neutron capture reaction rates relevant to the r-process, demonstrated through gamma-ray spectroscopy of beta decay, which improves the accuracy of nuclear reaction modeling.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel gamma-spectroscopy technique that constrains (n,$ ext{γ}$) reaction rates for neutron-rich nuclei involved in the r-process.

Findings

Successfully measured gamma spectra from $^{76}$Ga decay

Extracted nuclear level density and gamma-ray strength function

Strongly constrained the $^{75}$Ge($n, ext{γ}$)$^{76}$Ge reaction rate

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 $\gamma$-spectra from the $\beta$-decay of $^{76}$Ga have been measured with the SuN detector at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory. The nuclear level density and $\gamma$-ray strength function are extracted and used as input to Hauser-Feshbach calculations. The present technique is shown to strongly constrain the $^{75}$Ge($n,\gamma$)$^{76}$Ge cross section and reaction rate.