# Neutron-induced cross sections -- from raw data to astrophysical rates

## TL;DR

This paper reviews advanced experimental methods for neutron capture cross sections, evaluates the $^{197}$Au(n,$ extgamma$) cross section in detail, and re-assesses data for 63 isotopes relevant to stellar nucleosynthesis.

## Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of experimental techniques and presents a new evaluation of gold cross section data and re-evaluation of multiple isotopes.

## Key findings

- New evaluation of $^{197}$Au(n,$ extgamma$) cross section in the keV range
- Re-evaluation of 63 isotopes measured relative to gold
- Insights into systematic uncertainties of previous measurements

## Abstract

Neutron capture cross sections are one of the most important nuclear inputs to models of stellar nucleosynthesis of the elements heavier than iron. The activation technique and the time-of-flight method are mostly used to determine the required data experimentally. Recent developments of experimental techniques allow for new experiments on radioactive isotopes. Monte-Carlo based analysis methods give new insights into the systematic uncertainties of previous measurements. We present an overview over the state-of-the-art experimental techniques, a detailed new evaluation of the $^{197}$Au(n,$\gamma$) cross section in the keV-regime and the corresponding re-evaluation of 63 more isotopes, which have been measured in the past relative to the gold cross section.