The $^{63}$Ni(n,$\gamma$) cross section measured with DANCE

TL;DR

This paper reports the measurement of the neutron capture cross section of $^{63}$Ni using the DANCE detector, providing data crucial for astrophysical models of element formation.

Contribution

The study provides the first precise energy-dependent neutron capture cross section of $^{63}$Ni with uncertainties below 15%, improving astrophysical reaction rate data.

Findings

Determined $^{63}$Ni(n,$$) cross section with <15% uncertainty.

Identified various $^{63}$Ni resonances based on Q-value.

Analyzed the impact on s-process nucleosynthesis using NETZ.

Abstract

The neutron capture cross section of the s-process branch nucleus $^{63}$Ni affects the abundances of other nuclei in its region, especially $^{63}$Cu and $^{64}$Zn. In order to determine the energy dependent neutron capture cross section in the astrophysical energy region, an experiment at the Los Alamos National Laboratory has been performed using the calorimetric 4$\pi$ BaF$_2$ array DANCE. The (n,$\gamma$) cross section of $^{63}$Ni has been determined relative to the well known $^{197}$Au standard with uncertainties below 15%. Various $^{63}$Ni resonances have been identified based on the Q-value. Furthermore, the s-process sensitivity of the new values was analyzed with the new network calculation tool NETZ.