# New thermonuclear reaction rate equations for radiative neutron capture

## TL;DR

This paper develops new analytical equations for thermonuclear reaction rates of radiative neutron capture, incorporating various nuclear effects, and provides temperature-dependent rates relevant for astrophysical conditions.

## Contribution

It introduces updated reaction rate equations that include compound, pre-equilibrium, and direct effects, enhancing modeling accuracy in nuclear astrophysics.

## Key findings

- Reaction rates calculated for temperatures from 10^6 K to 10^10 K.
- Analytical expression provided for the $^6$Li(n,$$)Li reaction.
- Rates account for multiple nuclear reaction mechanisms.

## Abstract

The radiative neutron capture reaction rates have been studied at very low energies which are of interest for nuclear astrophysics. The rates for many of these reactions have remained independent of temperature so far. The temperature dependence of the thermonuclear reaction rates have been explored within the statistical model. Apart from the compound nuclear contribution, the pre-equilibrium as well as the direct effects have been taken into account. The corresponding Maxwellian-averaged thermonuclear reaction rates of relevance in astrophysical plasmas at temperatures in the range from 10$^6$ K to 10$^{10}$ K have been calculated. Analytical expression as a function of $T_9$ has been provided for $^6$Li(n,$\gamma$)$^7$Li by fitting the calculated reaction rate.