Radiative proton capture cross sections in the mass range $40-55$

TL;DR

This paper calculates proton capture cross sections for mass 40-54 using a semi-microscopic approach, aiding astrophysical models by providing reaction rates with improved nuclear interaction potentials.

Contribution

It introduces a semi-microscopic optical potential based on a density-dependent M3Y interaction folded with relativistic mean field densities for the first time in this mass range.

Findings

Calculated cross sections align well with experimental data.

Reaction rates are provided for key astrophysical processes.

The method offers a consistent approach across the mass range.

Abstract

Proton capture cross sections in the energy range of astrophysical interest for mass region 40-54 have been calculated in the Hauser-Feshbach formalism with reaction code TALYS1.6. The density dependent M3Y effective nucleon-nucleon interaction folded with target radial matter densities from relativistic mean field approach is used to obtain the semi-microscopic optical potential. A definite normalization of potential-well depths has been used over the entire mass region. The $(p,\gamma)$ rates of some reactions, important in the astrophysical scenario, are calculated using the potential in the relevant mass region.