Progress in proton-capture gamma-ray studies

Abstract

Progress made in proton-capture gamma -ray studies is discussed under four headings. (a) Precision; the recent evaluation of the fundamental constants has direct implications for capture gamma -ray work. (b) Completeness; modern detection techniques applied to (p, gamma ) reactions lead to a completeness of information which is essential in the comparison of experiment and theory, and thus crucial for the progress of nuclear physics. (c) Spin-assignments; the large amount of precise information may be used to assign spins in non-traditional ways. (d) Applications; new techniques, e.g. for the production of variable-energy gamma -rays, enlarge the scope of the capture gamma -ray field. These lines of progress are all four made possible by instrumental developments.