New detection systems for an enhanced sensitivity in key stellar (n,gamma) measurements

2023

Neutron capture cross-section measurements are fundamental in the study of astrophysical phenomena, such as the slow neutron capture (s-) process of nucleosynthesis operating in red-giant and massive stars. However, neutron capture measurements via the time-of-flight (TOF) technique on key s-process nuclei are often challenging. Difficulties arise from the limited mass (∼mg) available and the high sample-related background in the case of the unstable s-process branching points. Measurements on neutron magic nuclei, that act as s-process bottlenecks, are affected by low (n,γ) cross sections and a dominant neutron scattering background. Overcoming these experimental challenges requires the combination of facilities with high instantaneous flux, such as n_TOFEAR2, with detection systems with an enhanced detection sensitivity and high counting rate capabilities. This contribution reviews some of the latest detector developments in detection systems for (n,γ) measurements at n_TOF, such as i-TED, an innovative detection system which exploits the Compton imaging technique to reduce the dominant neutron scattering background and s-TED, a highly segmented total energy detector intended for high flux facilities. The discussion will be illustrated with results of the first measurement of key the s-process branching-point reaction 79Se(n,γ).

Authors in the community:

• 

  P

  Pedro Vaz

  ist12286

  Affiliations and sources

  IST > DECN

  Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências Nucleares

  IST > C2TN

  Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares

  In: orcid

  ID: 131559736

  In: cienciavitae

  ID: 3223755

AO - Author's Original

EDP Sciences

https://www.epj-conferences.org/

EPJ Web of Conferences

13001

279

10.1051/EPJCONF/202327913001

WOS:000995956500057

physical-sciences - Physical sciences

eng - English

https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/202327913001

CC-BY - Attribution