Neutron capture in the $r$-process

R. Surman, G. C. McLaughlin, M. Mumpower, W. Hix, K. Jones

Published Proceedings of Science, NIC-XI 284 (2010)

Recently we have shown that neutron capture rates on nuclei near stability significantly influence the $r$-process abundance pattern. We discuss the different mechanisms by which the abundance pattern is sensitive to the capture rates and identify key nuclei whose rates are of particular importance. Here we consider nuclei in the $A=130$ and $A=80$ regions.