Speaker
Description
The $^{95}$Zr(n,$\gamma$) cross section is crucial for understanding the intermediate neutron capture process (i process), as it directly affects the production and abundance of Molybdenum isotopes. The observed Molybdenum overabundance in presolar grains represents one of the most significant signatures of i-process nucleosynthesis. At the same time, $^{95}$Zr remains a branching point in the slow neutron capture process (s process), where its long-lived nature allows β-decay to compete with the formation of $^{96}$Zr.
Because $^{95}$Zr is unstable, a direct measurement of its neutron capture cross section is currently not feasible. Using the Oslo method, we have experimentally constrained the $^{95}$Zr(n,γ) cross section for the first time. The $^{96}$Zr(p,p’) reaction was studied at the 10 MV FN-Tandem accelerator at the Institute for Nuclear Physics, University of Cologne, employing the SONIC@HORUS detector array. By applying the newly developed “Shape” method, we significantly reduced model uncertainties. We present preliminary results and discuss their implications for i-process nucleosynthesis, with reference to the s process.