Measurement of the 187Re({\alpha},n)190Ir reaction cross section at sub-Coulomb energies using the Cologne Clover Counting Setup

TL;DR

This study measures the 187Re({},n)190Ir reaction cross section at sub-Coulomb energies to improve models of alpha+nucleus interactions relevant for astrophysical nucleosynthesis, revealing the superiority of the Sauerwein-Rauscher potential.

Contribution

It provides new experimental cross section data at low energies and validates a modified optical-model potential for better theoretical predictions.

Findings

Experimental cross sections were measured at five energies.

The Sauerwein-Rauscher potential accurately reproduces the data.

The energy dependence of the imaginary part decreases exponentially.

Abstract

Uncertainties in adopted models of particle+nucleus optical-model potentials directly influence the accuracy in the theoretical predictions of reaction rates as they are needed for reaction-network calculations in, for instance, {\gamma}-process nucleosynthesis. The improvement of the {\alpha}+nucleus optical-model potential is hampered by the lack of experimental data at astrophysically relevant energies especially for heavier nuclei. Measuring the Re187({\alpha},n)Ir190 reaction cross section at sub-Coulomb energies extends the scarce experimental data available in this mass region and helps understanding the energy dependence of the imaginary part of the {\alpha}+nucleus optical-model potential at low energies. Applying the activation method, after the irradiation of natural rhenium targets with {\alpha}-particle energies of 12.4 to 14.1 MeV, the reaction yield and thus the reaction cross section were determined via {\gamma}-ray spectroscopy by using the Cologne Clover Counting Setup and the method of {\gamma}{\gamma} coincidences. Cross-section values at five energies close to the astrophysically relevant energy region were measured. Statistical model calculations revealed discrepancies between the experimental values and predictions based on widely used {\alpha}+nucleus optical-model potentials. However, an excellent reproduction of the measured cross-section values could be achieved from calculations based on the so-called Sauerwein-Rauscher {\alpha}+nucleus optical-model potential. The results obtained indicate that the energy dependence of the imaginary part of the {\alpha}+nucleus optical-model potential can be described by an exponential decrease. Successful reproductions of measured cross sections at low energies for {\alpha}-induced reactions in the mass range 141{\leq}A{\leq}187 confirm the global character of the Sauerwein-Rauscher potential.