62 Ni( n , γ) 63 Ni Reaction and Overproduction of Ni Isotopes

Abstract

The neutron capture cross section of 62Ni has been measured in the energy range from 5.5 to 90 keV by employing a prompt discrete γ-ray detection method with the use of an anti-Compton NaI(Tl) spectrometer. The Maxwellian-averaged capture cross section at 30 keV is derived as being 37.0 ± 3.2 mbarn, 3 times larger than the value currently used for the nucleosynthetic yield estimations in massive stars. The result could provide crucial information for the long-standing problem of the largest overproduction of 62Ni. The intense discrete γ-ray feeding from a neutron capture state to the ground state of 63Ni was for the first time observed at stellar neutron energy. This observation and the neutron energy dependence of the total neutron capture cross section of 62Ni indicate clearly that the dominant capture process of 62Ni is a nonresonant direct s-wave capture process and not a p-wave capture process as previously predicted.