n_TOF Collaboration(Mosconi, M. et al), Domingo-Pardo, C., & Tain, J. L. (2010). Neutron physics of the Re/Os clock. I. Measurement of the (n, gamma) cross sections of Os-186,Os-187,Os-188 at the CERN n_TOF facility. Phys. Rev. C, 82(1), 015802–10pp.
Abstract: The precise determination of the neutron capture cross sections of Os-186 and Os-187 is important to define the s-process abundance of Os-187 at the formation of the solar system. This quantity can be used to evaluate the radiogenic component of the abundance of Os-187 due to the decay of the unstable Re-187 (t(1/2) = 41.2 Gyr) and from this to infer the time duration of the nucleosynthesis in our galaxy (Re/Os cosmochronometer). The neutron capture cross sections of Os-186, Os-187, and Os-188 have been measured at the CERN n_TOF facility from 1 eV to 1 MeV, covering the entire energy range of astrophysical interest. The measurement has been performed by time-of-flight technique using isotopically enriched samples and two C6D6 scintillation detectors for recording the prompt. rays emitted in the capture events. Maxwellian averaged capture cross sections have been determined for thermal energies between kT = 5 and 100 keV corresponding to all possible s-process scenarios. The estimated uncertainties for the values at 30 keV are 4.1, 3.3, and 4.7% for Os-186, Os-187, and Os-188, respectively.
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n_TOF Collaboration(Fujii, K. et al), Domingo-Pardo, C., & Tain, J. L. (2010). Neutron physics of the Re/Os clock. III. Resonance analyses and stellar (n, gamma) cross sections of Os-186,Os-187,Os-188. Phys. Rev. C, 82(1), 015804–18pp.
Abstract: Neutron resonance analyses have been performed for the capture cross sections of Os-186, Os-187, and Os-188 measured at the n_TOF facility at CERN. Resonance parameters have been extracted up to 5, 3, and 8 keV, respectively, using the SAMMY code for a full R-matrix fit of the capture yields. From these results average resonance parameters were derived by a statistical analysis to provide a comprehensive experimental basis for modeling of the stellar neutron capture rates of these isotopes in terms of the Hauser-Feshbach statistical model. Consistent calculations for the capture and inelastic reaction channels are crucial for the evaluation of stellar enhancement factors to correct the Maxwellian averaged cross sections obtained from experimental data for the effect of thermally populated excited states. These factors have been calculated for the full temperature range of current scenarios of s-process nucleosynthesis using the combined information of the experimental data in the region of resolved resonances and in the continuum. The consequences of this analysis for the s-process component of the Os-187 abundance and the related impact on the evaluation of the time duration of galactic nucleosynthesis via the Re/Os cosmochronometer are discussed.
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n_TOF Collaboration(Tagliente, G. et al.), Domingo-Pardo, C., & Tain, J. L. (2010). The Zr-92(n,gamma) reaction and its implications for stellar nucleosynthesis. Phys. Rev. C, 81(5), 055801–9pp.
Abstract: Because the relatively small neutron capture cross sections of the zirconium isotopes are difficult to measure, the results of previous measurements are often not adequate for a number of problems in astrophysics and nuclear technology. Therefore, the Zr-92(n,gamma) cross section has been remeasured at the CERN n_TOF facility, providing a set of improved parameters for 44 resonances in the neutron energy range up to 40 keV. With this information the cross-section uncertainties in the keV region could be reduced to 5% as required for s-process nucleosynthesis studies and technological applications.
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n_TOF Collaboration(Massimi, C. et al), Domingo-Pardo, C., & Tain, J. L. (2010). Au-197(n,gamma) cross section in the resonance region. Phys. Rev. C, 81(4), 044616–22pp.
Abstract: The (n,gamma) cross section of Au-197 has been measured at nTOF in the resolved resonance region, up to 5 keV, with the aim of improving the accuracy in an energy range where it is not yet considered standard. The measurements were performed with two different experimental setup and detection techniques, the total energy method based on C6D6 detectors, and the total absorption calorimetry based on a 4 pi BaF2 array. By comparing the data collected with the two techniques, two accurate sets of neutron-capture yields have been obtained, which could be the basis for a new evaluation leading to an extended cross-section standard. Overall good agreement is found between the n_TOF results and evaluated cross sections, with some significant exceptions for small resonances. A few resonances not included in the existing databases have also been observed.
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n_TOF Collaboration(Tagliente, G. et al.), Domingo-Pardo, C., & Tain, J. L. (2011). Neutron capture on (94)Zr: Resonance parameters and Maxwellian-averaged cross sections. Phys. Rev. C, 84(1), 015801–9pp.
Abstract: The neutron capture cross sections of the Zr isotopes play an important role in nucleosynthesis studies. The s-process reaction flow between the Fe seed and the heavier isotopes passes through the neutron magic nucleus (90)Zr and through (91,92,93,94)Zr, but only part of the flow extends to (96)Zr because of the branching point at (95)Zr. Apart from their effect on the s-process flow, the comparably small isotopic (n, gamma) cross sections make Zr also an interesting structural material for nuclear reactors. The (94)Zr (n, gamma) cross section has been measured with high resolution at the spallation neutron source n_TOF at CERN and resonance parameters are reported up to 60 keV neutron energy.
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Dillmann, I., Coquard, L., Domingo-Pardo, C., Kappeler, F., Marganiec, J., Uberseder, E., et al. (2011). Cross sections for proton-induced reactions on Pd isotopes at energies relevant for the gamma process. Phys. Rev. C, 84(1), 015802–11pp.
Abstract: Proton-activation reactions on natural and enriched palladium samples were investigated via the activation technique in the energy range of E(p) = 2.75-9 MeV, close to the upper end of the respective Gamow window of the. process. We have determined cross sections for (102)Pd(p,gamma)(103)Ag, (104)Pd(p,gamma)(105)Ag, and (105)Pd(p,n)(105)Ag, as well as partial cross sections of (104)Pd(p,n)(104)Ag(g), (105)Pd(p,gamma)(106)Ag(m), (106)Pd(p,n)(106)Ag(m), and (110)Pd(p,n)(110)Ag(m) with uncertainties between 3% and 15% for constraining theoretical Hauser-Feshbach rates and for direct use in gamma-process calculations.
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n_TOF Collaboration(Tagliente, G. et al.), Domingo-Pardo, C., & Tain, J. L. (2011). (96)Zr(n,gamma) measurement at the n_TOF facility at CERN. Phys. Rev. C, 84(5), 055802–8pp.
Abstract: The (n,gamma) cross section of (96)Zr has been investigated at the CERN n_TOF spallation neutron source. High-resolution time-of-flight measurements using an enriched ZrO(2) sample allowed us to analyze 15 resonances below 40 keV with improved accuracy. On average, the capture widths were found to be 25% smaller than reported in earlier experiments. If complemented with the contribution by direct radiative capture, the derived Maxwellian averaged cross sections are consistent with activation data at kT = 25 keV. The present results confirm the astrophysical implications for the s-process branching at (95)Zr.
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n_TOF Collaboration(Sarmento, R. et al), Domingo-Pardo, C., & Tain, J. L. (2011). Measurement of the (236)U(n, f) cross section from 170 meV to 2 MeV at the CERN n_TOF facility. Phys. Rev. C, 84(4), 044618–10pp.
Abstract: The neutron-induced fission cross section of (236)U was measured at the neutron Time-of-Flight (nTOF) facility at CERN relative to the standard (235)U(n, f) cross section for neutron energies ranging from above thermal to several MeV. The measurement, covering the full range simultaneously, was performed with a fast ionization chamber, taking advantage of the high resolution of the nTOF spectrometer. The n_TOF results confirm that the first resonance at 5.45 eV is largely overestimated in some nuclear data libraries. The resonance triplet around 1.2 keV was measured with high resolution and resonance parameters were determined with good accuracy. Resonances at high energy have also been observed and characterized and different values for the cross section are provided for the region between 10 keV and the fission threshold. The present work indicates various shortcomings of the current nuclear data libraries in the subthreshold region and provides the basis for an accurate re-evaluation of the (236)U(n, f) cross section, which is of great relevance for the development of emerging or innovative nuclear reactor technologies.
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n_TOF Collaboration(Guerrero, C. et al), Domingo-Pardo, C., & Tain, J. L. (2012). Measurement and resonance analysis of the Np-237 neutron capture cross section. Phys. Rev. C, 85(4), 044616–15pp.
Abstract: The neutron capture cross section of Np-237 was measured between 0.7 and 500 eV at the CERN n_TOF facility using the 4 pi BaF2 Total Absorption Calorimeter. The experimental capture yield was extracted minimizing all the systematic uncertainties and was analyzed together with the most reliable transmission data available using the SAMMY code. The result is a complete set of individual as well as average resonance parameters [D-0 = 0.56(2) eV, <Gamma(gamma)> = 40.9(18) meV, 10(4)S(0) = 0.98(6), R' = 9.8(6) fm]. The capture cross section obtained in this work is in overall agreement with the evaluations and the data of Weston and Todd [Nucl. Sci. Eng. 79, 184 (1981)], thus showing sizable differences with respect to previous data from Scherbakov et al. [J. Nucl. Sci. Technol. 42, 135 (2005)] and large discrepancies with data Kobayashi et al. [J. Nucl. Sci. Technol. 39, 111 (2002)]. The results indicate that a new evaluation combining the present capture data with reliable transmission data would allow reaching an accuracy better than 4%, in line with the uncertainty requirements of the nuclear data community for the design and operation of current and future nuclear devices.
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n_TOF Collaboration(Massimi, C. et al), Domingo-Pardo, C., & Tain, J. L. (2012). Resonance neutron-capture cross sections of stable magnesium isotopes and their astrophysical implications. Phys. Rev. C, 85(4), 044615–15pp.
Abstract: We have measured the neutron capture cross sections of the stable magnesium isotopes Mg-24,Mg-25,Mg-26 in the energy range of interest to the s process using the neutron time-of-flight facility n_TOF at CERN. Capture events from a natural metal sample and from samples enriched in Mg-25 and Mg-26 were recorded using the total energy method based on (C6H6)-H-2 detectors. Neutron resonance parameters were extracted by a simultaneous resonance shape analysis of the present capture data and existing transmission data on a natural isotopic sample. Maxwellian-averaged capture cross sections for the three isotopes were calculated up to thermal energies of 100 keV and their impact on s-process analyses was investigated. At 30 keV the new values of the stellar cross section for Mg-24, Mg-25, and Mg-26 are 3.8 +/- 0.2 mb, 4.1 +/- 0.6 mb, and 0.14 +/- 0.01 mb, respectively.
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