Investigation of 90,92Zr(n,{\gamma}) 91,93Zr in the s process nucleosynthesis

TL;DR

This paper computes neutron capture cross sections for zirconium isotopes relevant to the s process nucleosynthesis, analyzing the impact of nuclear model parameters and comparing results with existing data.

Contribution

It provides new theoretical MACS and reaction rates for 90Zr and 92Zr using Talys, highlighting the influence of nuclear level density and gamma strength functions.

Findings

Computed MACS and reaction rates agree well with literature

Nuclear model parameters significantly affect cross section calculations

Fine-tuning models enhances s process nucleosynthesis studies

Abstract

The neutron capture rates and Maxwellian averaged cross sections (MACS) for 90Zr(n,{\gamma}) 91Zr and 92Zr(n,{\gamma}) 93Zr processes have been computed within the framework of Talys v1.96. The effects of phenomenological nuclear level density (NLD) parameters and the gamma strength functions (GSFs) on Maxwellian averaged cross sections and neutron capture rates are examined both quantitatively and qualitatively. The present model based computed data for MACS and reaction rates gives a good comparison with the existing literature. The fine-tuning of the statistical models nuclear properties (level density and gamma-ray strength) to reproduce experimental data will allow the detailed investigation of the s process network.