Abstract

The reaction $^{96}\mathrm{Zr}(\ensuremath{\alpha},\mathrm{n})^{99}\mathrm{Mo}$ plays an important role in $\ensuremath{\nu}$-driven wind nucleosynthesis in core-collapse supernovae and is a possible avenue for medical isotope production. Cross-section measurements were performed using the activation technique at the Edwards Accelerator Laboratory. Results were analyzed along with world data on the $^{96}\mathrm{Zr}(\ensuremath{\alpha},n)$ cross section and $^{96}\mathrm{Zr}(\ensuremath{\alpha},\ensuremath{\alpha})$ differential cross section using large-scale Hauser-Feshbach calculations. We compare our data, previous measurements, and a statistical description of the reaction. We find a larger cross section at low energies compared to prior experimental results, allowing for a larger astrophysical reaction rate. This may impact results of core-collapse supernova $\ensuremath{\nu}$-driven wind nucleosynthesis calculations but does not significantly alter prior conclusions about $^{99}\mathrm{Mo}$ production for medical physics applications. The results from our large-scale Hauser-Feshbach calculations demonstrate that phenomenological optical potentials may yet be adequate to describe $(\ensuremath{\alpha},n)$ reactions of interest for $\ensuremath{\nu}$-driven wind nucleosynthesis, albeit with regionally adjusted model parameters.

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