## Neutron capture rates for neutron-rich nucleosynthesis

### DNP workshop Waikoloa, HI

Invited presentation on 10/2018

Radiative neutron capture is an important nuclear reaction whose theoretical description is needed for many applications ranging from nuclear technology to nuclear astrophysics. This process relies on the use of Hauser-Feshbach theory which requires the nuclear optical potential, level density, and gamma-strength function as model inputs. I discuss the details of theoretical neutron capture rate calculations and their role in the formation of the heavy elements during neutron-rich nucleosynthesis known as the rapid neutron capture process (r-process). Neutron capture rates of individual nuclei, for instance, may become important during the decay back to stability and also control the exact placement of abundance peaks. The impact on the final abundances of a collective M1 scissors mode operating in highly deformed nuclei is also explored.

Funding: This work was carried out under the auspices of the National Nuclear Security Administration of the U.S. Department of Energy at Los Alamos National Laboratory under Contract No. DE-AC52-06NA25396.

LA-UR-18-31134

### Related Publications

Year Authors Title (Click for more details) Journal (PDF)
2016 S. Liddick, A. Spyrou, B. P. Crider, F. Naqvi, et al. Experimental neutron capture rate constraint far from stability PRL 116, 242502
2016 S. Liddick, A. Spyrou, B. P. Crider, F. Naqvi, et al. Experimental neutron capture rate constraint far from stability PRL 116, 242502
2016 M. Mumpower, R. Surman, G. C. McLaughlin, A. Aprahamian The impact of individual nuclear properties on $r$-process nucleosynthesis PPNP 86 86-126
2014 R. Surman, M. Mumpower, R. Sinclair, K. Jones, et al. Sensitivity studies for a weak $r$ process: neutron capture rates AIP Advances 4, 041008
2012 R. Surman, G. C. McLaughlin, M. Mumpower, W. Hix, et al. Neutron captures and the $r$-process nucleosynthesis CGS14

## Mail

Matthew Mumpower
Los Alamos National Lab
MS B283
TA-3 Bldg 123
Los Alamos, NM 87544