Proton capture cross-section of 106,108Cd for the astrophysical p-process

Abstract

The proton capture cross-sections of the two most proton-rich, stable isotopes of cadmium have been measured for the first time in the energy range relevant to the astrophysical p-process between Ep= 2.4 and 4.7 MeV. The 106Cd(p,γ)107In and 108Cd(p,γ)109In cross-sections have been determined using the activation technique. Highly enriched as well as natural Cd targets have been irradiated with proton beams from both the Van de Graaff and cyclotron accelerators of the ATOMKI. The cross-sections have been derived by measuring the γ-radiation following the β-decay of the 107In and 109In reaction products. The experimental results are presented here and are compared with the predictions of Hauser–Feshbach statistical model calculations using the NON-SMOKER code. It is found that the calculation reproduces well the experimental data. The sensitivity of the model calculations to the proton- and γ-strengths is examined.