Re-investigation of neutron capture by 84Kr and 86Kr in the s-process nucleosynthesis

TL;DR

This study re-evaluates neutron capture rates for krypton isotopes relevant to the s-process nucleosynthesis using statistical models, confirming previous findings and analyzing nuclear property effects.

Contribution

It provides a re-investigation of neutron capture cross sections for 84Kr and 86Kr with updated models and detailed analysis of nuclear level density effects.

Findings

MACS and capture rates agree with previous reports

Nuclear level densities significantly influence cross section calculations

Fine-tuning models reproduces experimental nuclear data

Abstract

The thermonuclear reaction rates and Maxwellian averaged cross sections (MACS) for the 84Kr(n,{\gamma}) 85Kr and 86Kr(n,{\gamma}) 87Kr processes were examined using the statistical model code Talys v1.96. The effects of nuclear level densities (NLDs) on Maxwellian averaged cross sections and neutron capture rates are examined both quantitatively and qualitatively. The present Talys based MACS and radiative capture rates for 84Kr(n,{\gamma}) 85Kr and 86Kr(n,{\gamma}) 87Kr processes agree well with the earlier reported findings. The statistical models nuclear properties (level density and gamma ray strength) were fine tuned to reproduce the existing experimental nuclear data.