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Domingo-Pardo, C., Lederer-Woods, C., & Mengoni, A. (2026). Constraining r-process nucleosynthesis via enhanced accuracy neutron-capture experiments. Eur. Phys. J. A, 62(4), 83–10pp.
Abstract: The isotopic abundances of r-process elements in the solar system are traditionally derived as residuals from the subtraction of s-process contributions from total solar abundances. However, the uncertainties in s-process nucleosynthesis – particularly those arising from Maxwellian Averaged Cross Sections (MACS) – propagate directly into the r-process residuals, affecting their reliability. Building upon the seminal work of Goriely (A&A 342:881-891, 1999), who introduced a multi-event s-process model to quantify these uncertainties, we revisit the problem using a simplified yet effective approach. By assuming that the relative uncertainty in s-process isotopic abundances scales linearly with the MACS uncertainties from data libraries (KADoNiS), we identify a subset of isotopes for which the r-process residuals remain significantly uncertain. Using updated solar abundances (Lodders in Space Sci Rev 221:23, 2025) and s-process contributions from Bisterzo et al. (ApJ 787:10, 2014), we present a short list of isotopes that are prime candidates for improved (n,gamma) measurements at CERN nTOF in the near future. Our analysis provides a practical framework for prioritizing future experimental efforts that will profit from upgrades and enhancements of the nTOF facility. It also highlights the need to revisit key neutron-capture cross sections to refine our understanding of the r-process isotopic abundance pattern, commonly used as a benchmark in stellar models of explosive nucleosynthesis.
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n_TOF Collaboration(Spelta, M. et al), Balibrea-Correa, J., Domingo-Pardo, C., Ladarescu, I., Lerendegui-Marco, J., & Tarifeño-Saldivia, A. (2026). First Results of the 64Ni(n,γ) Cross Section Measurement at n_TOF. Galaxies, 14(2), 29–8pp.
Abstract: The neutron capture cross section of 64Ni is an important parameter in nuclear astrophysics that is needed to accurately simulate stellar nucleosynthesis and validate stellar models. 64Ni is among the seeds of the s-process and its capture cross section has been found to have an important effect on the predicted abundances of many nuclei synthesized in Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) and massive stars. Despite its relevance, the measurements of the 64Ni(n,gamma) available in the literature are scarce and discrepant. For this reason, a new accurate time-of-flight measurement has been performed at the n_TOF facility at CERN, taking advantage of its high instantaneous neutron flux, and using a highly enriched 64Ni sample. The first preliminary results show important discrepancies with respect to the cross sections recommended in the most recent releases of the evaluated nuclear data libraries. In particular, a large resonance reported at 9.52 keV is not observed. As a consequence, a significant reduction in the Maxwellian-Averaged Cross Section (MACS) obtained from evaluated data libraries in the 5-25 keV thermal energy region is expected.
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η-PRiME and Super-FRS Collaborations(Sekiya, R. et al), & Benlliure, J. (2026). Excitation Spectra of the 12C(p, d) Reaction near the η′-Meson Emission Threshold Measured in Coincidence with High-Momentum Protons. Phys. Rev. Lett., 136(14), 142501–6pp.
Abstract: The missing mass of the C-12(p, d) reaction has been measured near the eta '-meson emission threshold in coincidence with a high-momentum proton to selectively collect eta '-C-11 mesic nucleus formation events at GSI, Germany. A 2.5 GeV proton excites a carbon nucleus in order to form an eta '-mesic nucleus emitting a deuteron forward with an energy of similar to 1.5 GeV. The deuteron is momentum analyzed by the fragment separator used as a high-resolution spectrometer to deduce the excitation energy of the residual system. The large-acceptance detector WASA surrounding the target identifies high-momentum protons emitted in the decay of the eta '-mesic nucleus. The measured semiexclusive spectrum exhibits structures below the threshold though the statistical significance is limited. The spectrum is fitted by theoretically calculated spectra varying optical-potential parameters of the eta '-nucleus interaction. The analysis results indicate possible formation of eta '-mesic nuclei for the real potential depth of similar to- 61 MeV with a local statistical significance of 3.5 sigma and, taking into account the look-elsewhere effect, a global significance of 2.1 sigma.
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HAWC Collaboration(Albert, A. et al), Coutiño de Leon, S., & Salesa Greus, F. (2025). The first 10 years of the HAWC Gamma-Ray Observatory: science results. Rev. Mex. Astron. Astrofis., 61, 261–299.
Abstract: The High-Altitude Water Cherenkov (HAWC) Observatory, located on the slopes of the Sierra Negra volcano in Mexico, began operations in March 2015. Over the past decade, HAWC has enabled the exploration of a broad range of topics in high-energy astrophysics and particle physics, resulting in more than 90 peer-reviewed publications. These studies have significantly advanced our understanding of several previously unexplored and poorly understood phenomena in the TeV energy regime. The present work provides an overview of the key scientific contributions of HAWC during its first ten years of operation.
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Aehle, M. et al, & Ruiz de Austri, R. (2025). Progress in end-to-end optimization of fundamental physics experimental apparata with differentiable programming. Rev. Phys., 13, 100120–38pp.
Abstract: In this article we examine recent developments in the research area concerning the creation of end-to-end models for the complete optimization of measuring instruments. The models we consider rely on differentiable programming methods and on the specification of a software pipeline including all factors impacting performance – from the data-generating processes to their reconstruction and the extraction of inference on the parameters of interest of a measuring instrument – along with the careful specification of a utility function well aligned with the end goals of the experiment. Building on previous studies originated within the MODE Collaboration, we focus specifically on applications involving instruments for particle physics experimentation, as well as industrial and medical applications that share the detection of radiation as their data-generating mechanism.
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