Low-energy enhancement in the \gamma-ray strength functions of $^{73,74}$Ge

TL;DR

This study investigates the gamma-ray strength functions of $^{73,74}$Ge, revealing low-energy enhancements that impact neutron capture cross section calculations and reaction rates for neutron-rich germanium isotopes.

Contribution

It provides new experimental data on gamma-ray strength functions of $^{73,74}$Ge, including low-energy enhancements, and compares these with shell model predictions, extending understanding of nuclear reactions.

Findings

Both isotopes show low-energy gamma-ray strength enhancement.

The enhancements influence neutron capture cross section calculations.

Reaction rates for neutron-rich germanium isotopes depend on low-energy gamma-ray strength.

Abstract

The $\gamma$-ray strength functions and level densities of $^{73,74}$Ge have been extracted up to the neutron separation energy S$_n$ from particle-$\gamma$ coincidence data using the Oslo method. Moreover, the $\gamma$-ray strength function of $^{74}$Ge above S$_n$ has been determined from photo-neutron measurements, hence these two experiments cover the range of E$_\gamma \approx$ 1-13 MeV for $^{74}$Ge. The obtained data show that both $^{73,74}$Ge display an increase in strength at low $\gamma$ energies. The experimental $\gamma$-ray strength functions are compared with $M1$ strength functions deduced from average $B(M1)$ values calculated within the shell model for a large number of transitions. The observed low-energy enhancements in $^{73,74}$Ge are adopted in the calculations of the $^{72,73}$Ge(n,$\gamma$) cross sections, where there are no direct experimental data. Calculated reaction rates for more neutron-rich germanium isotopes are shown to be strongly dependent on the presence of the low-energy enhancement.