Alpha-induced reaction cross section measurements on ¹⁵¹Eu for the astrophysical γ-process

Authors: Gyürky, Gy; Elekes, Z.; Farkas, J.; Fülöp, Zs; Halász, Z.; Kiss, G.G.; Somorjai, E.; Szücs, T.; Güray, R.T.; Özkan, N.; Yalçın, C.; Rauscher, T.

Source: Journal of Physics G: Nuclear and Particle Physics, Volume 37, Number 11, November 2010 , pp. 115201-115215(15)

Publisher: IOP Publishing

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Abstract:

In order to extend the experimental database relevant for the astrophysical γ-process towards the unexplored heavier mass region, the cross sections of the ¹⁵¹Eu(α, γ)¹⁵⁵Tb and ¹⁵¹Eu(α, n)¹⁵⁴Tb reactions have been measured at low energies between 12 and 17 MeV using the activation technique. The results are compared with the predictions of statistical model calculations and it is found that the calculations overestimate the cross sections by about a factor of 2. A sensitivity analysis shows that this discrepancy is caused by the inadequate description of the α+nucleus channel. A factor of 2 reduction of the reaction rate of ¹⁵¹Eu(α, γ)¹⁵⁵Tb in γ-process network calculations with respect to theoretical rates using the optical potential by McFadden and Satchler (1966 Nucl. Phys. 84 177) is recommended.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0954-3899/37/11/115201

Publication date: 2010-11-01