First results from measurements of capture reactions on Sn and Pd for the γ-process using HECTOR

Abstract

The formation of p-nuclei and their abundances are an important and ongoing study in nuclear astrophysical measurements. To understand and constrain theoretical models on the abundances of p-nuclei, further measurements of reactions on relevant nuclei and important branching points of the γ-process are needed. For this purpose the cross sections of (p,γ) reactions on ^112,114,116Sn and ¹⁰⁸Pd(p,γ)¹⁰⁹Ag over a combined energy range of $E_p$=2.5-4 MeV and $E_p$=2.1-3.5 MeV for Sn and Pd respectively, were investigated. These measurements were performed using the 5U accelerator at the Nuclear Science Laboratory at the University of Notre Dame. Preliminary yield results from the experiments will be discussed.