Novel technique for constraining r-process (n, γ) reaction rates.

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Physics
• Astrophysical Nucleosynthesis

Background:

• The rapid neutron-capture process (r process) is responsible for synthesizing heavy elements.
• Understanding neutron-rich nuclei is key to modeling the r process.
• Experimental data for these nuclei are scarce.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel technique for studying neutron-rich nuclei.
• To demonstrate the technique's capability in constraining nuclear reaction rates relevant to the r process.

Main Methods:

• Measurement of gamma spectra from the beta decay of Gallium-76 using the SuN detector.
• Extraction of nuclear level density and gamma-ray strength function.
• Application of Hauser-Feshbach statistical model calculations.

Main Results:

• Successful application of the novel technique to Gallium-76 beta decay.
• Extracted nuclear level density and gamma-ray strength function.
• Constrained the cross section and reaction rate for the Germanium-75(n,γ)Germanium-76 reaction.

Conclusions:

• The developed technique provides new opportunities for studying neutron-rich nuclei.
• The results significantly improve our understanding of the ^{75}Ge(n,γ)^{76}Ge reaction rate.
• This method is crucial for advancing r-process nucleosynthesis models.