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Author  |
n_TOF Collaboration (Balibrea-Correa, J. et al); Lerendegui-Marco, J.; Domingo-Pardo, C.; Babiano-Suarez, V.; Ladarescu, I. |
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Title |
First 94Nb(n; γ) Measurement: Constraining the Nucleosynthetic Origin of 94Mo in Presolar Grains |
Type |
Journal Article |
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Year |
2026 |
Publication |
Physical Review Letters |
Abbreviated Journal |
Phys. Rev. Lett. |
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Volume |
137 |
Issue |
8 |
Pages |
082701 - 8pp |
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Keywords |
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Abstract |
Isotopic measurements of presolar silicon carbide grains from dying stars have revealed a puzzling overabundance of 94Mo that stellar nucleosynthesis models have failed to reproduce for two decades. This discrepancy challenged our understanding of the slow neutron-capture process (s-process) that forges approximately half of the elements heavier than iron. The key uncertainty lies at 94Nb, a radioactive branching point where competition between neutron capture and beta decay governs the 94Mo production, yet the neutron-capture cross section had never been measured. Here, we report the first experimental determination of the 94Nb(n; gamma)95Nb cross section important for Mo isotopic abundances. The measurement was enabled by a coordinated effort involving high-purity target preparation at Institute of Solid State and Materials Research Dresden, radioactive sample production at the Institut Laue-Langevin Grenoble, radiochemical characterization at Paul Scherrer Institut Villigen, and the time-of-flight CERN n_TOF facility using for the first time segmented total-energy detectors. Incorporation of the resulting Maxwellianaveraged cross section into fully coupled nucleosynthesis models of low-mass asymptotic giant-branch stars brings them into agreement with the presolar grain data. These results remove a major nuclear-physics input uncertainty at the 94Nb branching point and provide a firmer foundation for understanding the origin of 94Mo in the Solar System. |
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Address |
[Balibrea-Correa, J.; Lerendegui-Marco, J.; Domingo-Pardo, C.; Babiano-Suarez, V.; Ladarescu, I.] Univ Valencia, Inst Fis Corpuscular, CSIC, Valencia, Spain, Email: javier.balibrea@ific.uv.es |
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Publisher |
Amer Physical Soc |
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Language |
English |
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Original Title |
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Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
0031-9007 |
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Notes |
WOS:001854481700003 |
Approved |
no |
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Is ISI |
yes |
International Collaboration |
yes |
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Call Number |
IFIC @ pastor @ |
Serial |
7407 |
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