Activation thick target yield measurement of Mo100(α,n)Ru103 for studying the weak r -process nucleosynthesis

Abstract

Background: Light ($30\le Z\le 45$) neutron-rich isotopes are thought to be synthesized in the neutrino-driven ejecta of core-collapse supernovae explosions via the weak $r$ process. Recent nucleosynthesis studies have demonstrated that $(\alpha ,xn)$ reactions play a particularly important role in the production of these isotopes. $\alpha$-nucleus optical model potentials ($\alpha$-OMPs) are used to model this nucleosynthesis scenario.